sparkling snowflake earrings, and an expression I recognized immediately.

Her eyes moved from Lily’s dress to her tiny hands.

Then to her face.

She smiled.

It was the familiar smile that usually appeared before a comment she would later insist was only a joke.

My stomach tightened.

I reminded myself to breathe.

I reminded myself that Lily was healthy, loved, and safe.

I reminded myself that I was an adult and no longer the frightened little girl who had once changed dresses three times because her mother disliked the way