Amelia laughed.

A real laugh.

And for the first time that night, I laughed with her.

Something relaxed between us.

Inside the jewelry box was a thin silver bracelet.

Claire had once mentioned over coffee that she wanted Amelia to have it when she grew up.

A grown-up bracelet for a grown woman.

I had never been able to fulfill that promise.

Until now.

I held it toward her.

“This belonged to your mother.”

“She wanted you to have it someday.”

“I’ve been keeping it for you all these years.”

“I just didn’t know where you were.”

Amelia stared at it.

“You’re sure?”

“I’ve been sure for twenty-three years.”

Her face crumpled.

I moved toward her, then stopped because I didn’t want to overwhelm her.

She closed the distance herself.

She hugged me.

Holding her was the strangest feeling.

She was my family.

My sister’s daughter.