“I’ll find out and get calling cards for you. The more hyphens the better.”

“I’m keeping my name, and a toaster would be fine.”

“I knew you would have this kind of wedding. The only thing I was off on was the bongos and bad poetry.”

“You know me too well, Nancita.”

Ian’s sister, Cornelia, came at me with her thin arms open wide, like a spider in haute couture. “Dearest!”

“Cornelia!”

She smirked and said, “You see, I told you I would be at your wedding to the man you loved.”

“You certainly did, Cornelia, although I was annoyed when you sabotaged my engagement to Oswald.”

“It was from love, Milagro. I couldn’t wait until you were my sister. I have the best brother in the world, but I’ve always wanted a sister.”

“Me, too.”

I was pulled away by Gabriel, who said, “You look ravishing, Mrs. Dark Lord.”

“So do you, Gabriel. Will we see you and Charlie next month?”

“Yes, and while we’re in Lviv, Charlie will be looking at a chalet to convert to a hotel.”

“We’ll go sightseeing together, Gabriel.”

“I think our lives are inextricably tied, girlfriend,” he said, and kissed my cheek.

Although I got sidetracked, I set my course for Edna, who was chatting with Gigi Barton and her guest. Kisses went round and Edna said to me, “You have never looked so radiant.”

“I never thought I’d marry Ian.”

“You were the only one, Young Lady. The rest of us knew it the moment you two crocodiles met.”

“You could have saved me trouble and told me.”

She gazed at me with her gorgeous green eyes. “I think that you have become a lady at last, Milagro.”

“Don’t say that, Edna. I want to believe that I can do better.”

“Don’t expect an argument from me,” she said. “I’ve figured out your superhero power.”

“You have?”

“Look around you.”

I did, and said, “All I see is people waiting for the roast pork to be served and the dancing to begin. What’s my superpower?”

“You open people to passion. There’s my grandson Sam with his wife and child, and that wouldn’t have happened without you. Gabriel wouldn’t have met Charlie if you hadn’t caused problems. Mercedes and Pepper are an oddly right couple. Nettie and Wilcox are together as they wish.”

Suddenly, everywhere I turned, I saw couples who had come together in connection to me.

The crowd quieted a little as Thomas Cook approached, looking more beautiful than his photographs.

Edna said, “I never would have met Thomas if not for your shenanigans.”

Thomas kissed my cheek and said to Edna, “I told Milagro she was a happy ending sort of girl.”

“You were right, Thomas,” she said with a smile. “You have a deeper understanding of character than people give you credit for.”

“I’m not just a stunning face and amazing body.”