AS SOON AS WE’RE DOWNSTAIRS, the crowd immediately bursts into applause again. We try to make our way through the sea of well wishers. People shout congratulations, shower us with hugs, and grab our hands to shake.
Dan claps me on the back hard and grabs Helen in a bear hug that only ends when Catherine pulls on his leg. She jumps into Helen’s arms and says knowingly, “I knew this would happen. Now, can I be your flower girl?”
Helen gives her a big hug and whispers, “We’ll have to see.” Miriam disentangles Catherine and passes her off to Dan so she can hug us, too.
Miriam rushes off to chase down Andrew, who is getting precariously close to the dessert table, as Tim and Amy Cooper approach us, carrying their two-year-old, Daniel.
“Father Tom, Mrs. Parr,” Tim says. “We’re just so happy
