I meant it. I love you, Mera. I love all of you. Even me, Matthew asked, his voice small. Even though I was mean to you.
Even you, Eliza confirmed. Especially you, Matthew. Because I understand why you were angry. And I'm not going anywhere, no matter how much you push. Nathaniel beamed at her.
I love you, too, Miss Eliza. Levi, silent as always, simply reached across the table and squeezed her hand once before returning to his dinner. But the message was clear. James cleared his throat, his face flushing slightly. We um we wanted to tell you something, all of us.
We talked about it while you were taking care of Meera. Oh. Eliza's heart started beating faster. Yeah. James glanced at his siblings, gathering courage.
We know you're not our ma. You're not trying to be our ma, and we appreciate that, but you're you're here and you care and you fight for us. So, we thought I mean we wanted to know if can we call you mama? Meera blurted out unable to wait for James to finish his carefully prepared speech. Not instead of our first mama, but like like a second mama.
The mama who's here now. Eliza couldn't speak, couldn't breathe. The question hung in the air like something holy, like an offering she didn't deserve but desperately wanted to accept. You don't have to, James added quickly, misreading her silence. We know it's a big thing to ask.
We just thought yes. Eliza managed, her voice breaking. Yes, you can call me Mama. I'd be honored. The smile that broke across Meera's face was brighter than the New Mexico sun.
Really? Really? Then can you tuck me in tonight like a real mama would? Of course, baby girl. Of course I will.
Dinner continued with lighter hearts and fuller laughter. After the meal, after the dishes were washed and put away, after the children had scattered to their evening activities, Eliza found herself alone on the back porch, watching the sun set over the distant mountains. B joined her there, two tin cups in his hands. He offered one to her, Catherine's cup with its scratched flower filled with coffee that was actually drinkable this time. "Thank you," Eliza said, accepting it gratefully.