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She lets out a huff, and for a moment, she peeks over her shoulder. "We were sitting in a bar when I saw you. I told him I needed to go buy women's stuff, so he's waiting there."
She gazes into my eyes. "Are you happy?"
Without hesitation, I answer. "Yes. I've got a baking company, and I'm married to a wonderful man. Together, we have a son. His name is Liam."
Her orbs dance with emotions.
"Oh, I guess the Lord received my prayers."
"You prayed for me?"
"Yes, I did. I've been a terrible mother to you, so this was the least I can do. But please understand that I did what I did, trying to protect you. You know your father. He's a troublesome man, and that will never change."
"Then leave him!"
A sad smile sits on her lips. "Oh, I can't, sweetheart."
My eyes fill with tears.
"I'm not as strong as my beautiful daughter. You've always had that fierce strength inside of you. That's why you and your father always bumped heads. Where I obeyed him, afraid of his anger, you challenged him and his authority. I'm not that strong, and I'll never be. But it's okay, Emma. I've come to terms with it. For me, seeing and realizing you're safe and happy is the most important."
Her gaze goes to Nick and the kids. "You have a beautiful family, sweetheart. You deserve that for everything me and your father put you through."
She glances over her shoulder. "I need to go before he comes searching for me."
She lifts her hand and touches my cheek. "Again, I'm sorry for everything I did. You'll always be in my prayers, Emma, and I wish you a joyful life."
Now that I'm a mother, I sense her words are coming straight out of a mother's heart, and before she can turn around, I stop her. Our eyes meet, and when I see the guilt and pain, I take a step forward and hug her.
"I forgive you, Mom."
Her fingers claw into my arms as she hears my words, and she returns the hug.
"Oh, good Lord, I know I don't deserve it. But thank you."
I believe the large scar on my heart she and my father once inflicted can heal now. She squeezes my hand one last time, then she lets go and walks away. I wipe a tear from my cheek, watching her leave, and when she disappears in the crowd, I turn back.
As I make my way over to my family, a smile sets on my lips, and when I sit back in my chair, I kiss Charlotte on her cheek. She looks up at me, and with chocolate lips, she gives me a bright smile before going back to eating her chocolate cake. Nick leans in and places his hand on mine while giving me an investigative gaze.
"Everything okay, Angel?"
I intertwine our fingers and answer, "Yes, I've talked with someone from my past. I'll tell you about it tonight, during our dinner date."
"Oh, I'm looking forward to that," he answers with that golden smile of his. "My parents are excited to have Charlotte and Liam sleeping there. And I'm excited about our first night out together in five months."
"I am too," I say, sending him a naughty wink.
And as my eyes go over my amazing family, a sense of fulfillment washes over me. With everything I've been through, I know I made the right choices because they brought me to this moment. It's been a rollercoaster, but we survived and came out stronger than before.
The moment I said to my mother that I forgive her, I knew I did the right thing. Because I believe forgiveness is our most important contribution to heal our own and other's hearts. It doesn't mean the damage never existed, but it means that the damage no longer controls my life. And that's the best feeling ever.
