Dean clears his throat. “Forgive me for butting in, but I was raised by a single mother too, so I have thought about this a lot. The way I see it, a baby needs someone to care for them. Someone to give them food. To provide them with a safe place to rest their head. Someone who’ll encourage their dreams. But most of all, a baby needs love. And all kinds of families can raise a child.” He gestures with his hands. “I mean, look around us. Families come in different shapes and sizes. The ones you’re born into; the ones you find later in life. They may have one parent, or two, or a bunch of people who pitch in like the tias did here. There may be two mothers or two fathers, two grandparents, whatever works. But being a single parent? That’s a challenge all its own. I never gave my mother enough credit for doing it alone, and I should have. Now these women? I’m in awe of what they did. Coming from Brazil to an unfamiliar place and raising their kids together. Giving their children the guidance to become the wonderful people they’ve become. Building a thriving business. Could you imagine doing that? Could you imagine the strength and devotion they had to have to accomplish those things? So, yeah, since Solange is Izabel’s daughter, I don’t doubt for a minute that all that strength and devotion will be second nature to her too. Solange will be fine, whatever she decides.”

Cláudia purses her lips, a nod the only indication she’s at all moved by what Dean said.

I sneak a glance at my mother. She looks like one of those cartoon characters with flashing hearts doubling in size and popping out of her eyes. Well, Dean can plan on a lifetime’s supply of free food from Rio de Wheaton after that monologue.

Ana throws her clasped hands on the table. “That is so nice.” She looks over at me. “I’m happy for you, prima. You found a good man.”

“She did, didn’t she?” Lina says, her curious gaze swinging between Dean and me.

“The best,” Max adds, grinning.