‘Happy birthday, my darling Sophie,’ I say softly as she skips off to answer the doorbell.
‘It’s Nanny Diana!’ shouts Sophie as she opens the door. ‘And Granddad Pat and Aunty Roisin.’
I look at Fiona.
‘You ready for this?’ It’s the first time both families have got together.
‘As I’ll ever be,’ says Fiona.
After another whirlwind of hellos and greetings, the Marshalls sit in the living room with Mum and Dad.
Sean brings in the champagne and pours everyone a glass before gathering us all together to make a toast.
‘To families,’ he says. ‘In all their forms.’
‘To love, in all its forms,’ adds Kerry.
I look at Diana and we exchange a small smile. It’s another gesture of our truce and gradual acceptance of the past we share.
‘To mothers and daughters…in all their forms,’ she says.
I look around at the happy faces of both families. Never did I think it would turn out this way. For a brief moment I cast my mind back to eleven years ago. I think of Niall, as I always do every year on this day and I tell him I’m sorry he’s not here and I send my love to him, my love as a teenager and my love for giving me the most precious gift I’ve ever had. This year I take more comfort in knowing that although nothing will ever make up for his passing, his family now have more than just a memory of him.
Looking around at the scene before me, I ask myself if coming home was the right decision, but before I can answer, Roisin comes to stand next to me. We have a less strained relationship these days. We’re definitely at peace with each other.
‘Has it all been worth it?’ she says.
‘Yes, it has,’ I say. And then I silently answer my own question. Coming home was most definitely the right decision.
THE END