Andjustlikethat, the girl went in for one of her hugs, wrapping those skinny, but oh, so strong arms around Mary and holding on tight.

Mary blinked hard, but the tears came anyway, especially as she held Bitty’s head to her chest and met Rhage’s own watery eyes.

Her hellren gave her a thumbs-up and mouthed, Way to go, Mom.

Laughing and crying, Mary took a deep breath and thought, Yes, indeed, miracles most certainly did happen . . .

And she could just thank God, the Scribe Virgin, whoever you liked, for that.

She . . . was a mom.