June didn’t answer.
But on the morning of the wedding, she asked whether she could watch the reception from home.
Her respiratory illness was improving, but her doctor had recommended that she avoid the large gathering while recovering.
Owen agreed to help her join briefly by video call.
Marissa arranged the tablet at the children’s table, where June could see some of the celebration without interrupting the guests.
Nobody expected Theo to approach the bride.
He made that decision himself.
He believed that if Elena could stand and dance, his sister might feel brave enough to return to the school performance.
He hadn’t understood that June’s difficulty wasn’t simply a lack of courage.
And he hadn’t understood that Elena’s ability to stand briefly with support had very little to do with what June’s body could do.
Now, watching Elena’s wheelchair dance, he was beginning to see the difference.
***
The wedding reception continued late into the evening.
Elena spent much of it laughing with friends, tasting cake, and allowing James to steal bites from her plate.
She was exhausted.
The brief supported standing attempt had required considerable effort.
Even the seated dance had used muscles that were already tired from the ceremony and the long afternoon.
Claire checked on her before leaving.
“No new pain?” she asked.
“Just the usual fatigue.”
“Good. Rest when you need to. And don’t feel obligated to repeat anything because people enjoyed watching it.”
Elena smiled.
“I won’t.”
Claire glanced toward the dance floor.
“You handled that beautifully.”
Elena raised an eyebrow.
“The dancing or the part where I nearly stepped on James?”
“Both.”
They laughed.
Then Claire became serious.
