In with the letter were two photographs. The first was a posed picture, Mrs. B in a chair with her new husband behind her, and her new stepdaughter next to her. The daughter held a small bundle of blankets, a tiny face barely visible.

There was a note with the picture in the familiar handwriting. They asked my suggestion for Ellie’s middle name. I hope you know what a comfort you were during my most difficult years, and that no matter where life takes us now, you will always be my nephew.

Rory turned the picture over to see the adults’ names written in someone else’s penmanship, along with Ellie Theodora, born April 29, 1925.

“Oh geez,” he blurted, passing the picture to Arthur before he did anything embarrassing like actually cry.

Arthur’s face softened as he saw the picture. “That is absolutely lovely,” he murmured. He craned his neck to see the second photograph in Rory’s hand, and broke into a huge smile. “Oh, that was going to be Jade’s birthday present to you! Stella must have sent it to be forwarded. Look how well it turned out.”

Rory glanced down, and his eyes widened. It was the candid photograph taken the night they celebrated his birthday at the Magnolia. Stella stood on stage, with their friends clustered at the foot, ready to toast. Zhang’s arm was around Jade, their happy faces turned to each other and so close their noses nearly touched. Pavel and Ling were just next to Rory, glasses raised, while Sasha was looking up at Stella on stage. Arthur was on the right side of the photo, and photo-Arthur’s affectionate gaze was on a shocked and happy-looking Rory in the middle of the group.

“We’re framing that,” Arthur said.

Rory couldn’t stop staring. “I’ve never seen a picture of myself.”

“And now you know how handsome you really are.”

That made Rory roll his eyes but grin. “Me, handsome? Look at you.” He waved the picture in his hand. “This is staying with me forever.”

“Good,” Arthur said. “You should have pictures to keep of everyone who loves you.”

Rory set the picture on top of the suitcase and grabbed Arthur by the tie. “Come here.”

“Weren’t you just needling me about a train?” Arthur teased, as he let Rory pull him down to lip level.

“We’ll make it,” Rory promised, and pushed him down to the bed.

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Acknowledgments

I owe the deepest thanks to so many amazing people: