“Your chest is too big. I wish you had your sister’s figure. She can wear anything with grace. You should cover up.”
My throat tightens. I’ve carried those words for years, like invisible stitching holding me in. I turn, catching sight of my back in the mirror. The skirt rides slightly higher over the curve of my ass, another thing I used to hide. I sigh, a sound half-defeat, half-release.
“Would you come out already!” Grace calls from the other room.
I take a breath, deep enough to steady the trembling in my stomach, and step out.
There’s a small gasp.“Mommy, you look beautiful!”
Mia’s sitting on my bed next to Grace, eyes wide with admiration. My chest aches with warmth.
“You think so?” I ask, looking down at myself.
“Yes, Mommy!”
I turn toward the mirror, tracing my hands down my hips.“I don’t know, pumpkin…”
“Summer,” Grace says softly. I meet her eyes in the reflection.“You look stunning.”
Her gaze trails over me, not critical, not teasing, but genuinely admiring, and suddenly I want to fold into myself. I turn back to the mirror, fussing with the fabric.
“I don’t know…” I whisper, twisting to glance at my backside.
“Girl,” Grace says, arching a brow at me in the reflection,“you have those curves people pay big money for, and you want to hide them?”
I let out a nervous laugh.“I should cover up. Nobody wants to see this.”
Grace tilts her head, eyes sharp and kind all at once.“Whose words are those?”
She steps closer, her reflection appearing behind mine, grounding me.
“My mother,” I say quietly.“My sister… Kevin…”
Grace nods knowingly.“Not yours then.”
“Why should we cover something beautiful up, Mommy?” Mia asks, her little face tilted up, genuinely curious.
And just like that, it hits me. She’s watching me. Learning from me.
“You know what, pumpkin,” I say, straightening my shoulders, forcing my arms to relax at my sides,“we should never cover beauty.”
I wink at her in the mirror.“Mommy’s wearing this tonight.”
Mia claps her tiny hands, her giggle lighting up the room.
“Great,” Grace says, smirking.“Now sit down and let me do your hair and makeup.”
“Don’t you need to get ready too?” I tease as she steers me toward the chair.
“I already picked my outfit, and there’s plenty of time to make us both gorgeous,” she says, grinning with pure confidence.
Forty minutes later, I’m kissing Mia goodbye at the door while Cas and Penny greet everyone.
“You be a good girl for Lily and Josh.” I tap her nose gently.
“I will. We’re having popcone!”
I smile.“Popcorn, pumpkin.” I give her another kiss and hand her over to Lily, who’s grinning wide.
