Emily's face was flushed with excitement. Tears and smiles poured out together as she rushed forward and hugged Sophie tightly around the waist, burying her face in her skirt. Her voice was muffled. "Mommy said yes!!! We finally have a real complete family!!"
Sophie staggered from the impact but smiled through her tears. She bent down, pulled Emily into her arms, and kept one hand on Hale's shoulder. "I'm so happy you're willing to call me Mommy! We're finally a real family."
Ella stood to the side. Though her eyes were also red, she tried hard to stay composed, lips pressed into a thin line, chin slightly raised, fingers tightly gripping the hem of her clothes.
"Emily, she was already our family," she said. Her voice clearly choked up at the end.
Ned stood up, took the ring out of the box, gently held Sophie's left hand, and slowly slid the ring onto her finger, completing the ceremony. He then lowered his head and tenderly kissed the back of her hand.
