You were the reason I got out of bed, the reason I kept fighting, the reason I believed in anything at all. The video flickered slightly old footage, imperfect recording, but Victoria's voice was clear. I don't know who's taking care of you now. I don't know if your adoptive parents are kind, if you have siblings, if you're happy, but whoever is raising you, please tell them, "Thank you for me. Thank them for loving you when I couldn't.
Thank them for being the parent I should have been." Daniel felt tears rolling down his own cheeks. And if your father is watching this with you, the man who raised you, who loved you, who chose you, please tell him that my only regret is not having the courage to ask him about his bed sooner. Lily looked at Daniel confused. What does that mean? Daniel couldn't answer.
His throat was too tight. On the screen, Victoria smiled a real smile full of love and hope and grief. I have to go now, sweetheart. I have a meeting with an investigator who thinks he might have found a lead on your location. Maybe this time he'll be right.
Maybe this time I'll finally get to see your face. Victoria leaned in close to the camera. I love you, Lily. I've loved you from your first breath, and I'll love you until my last. Whatever happens, wherever you are, remember that you are wanted.
You are cherished. You are mine. The screen went black. For a long moment, neither Daniel nor Lily moved. They sat together on the couch, hands intertwined, surrounded by the echo of Victoria's voice.
Then Lily spoke. She really loved me. She really loved you. And she named me Lily. She named me before she gave me up.
She did. Lily turned to face Daniel, her cheeks wet with tears, but her eyes bright with something new. Understanding maybe, or acceptance. Daddy, I want to visit her grave. We can do that.
I want to tell her things. Things I should have said when she was alive. She'd like that. Lily leaned against Daniel's shoulder. Thank you for telling me the truth.
I know it was hard. You deserve the truth, baby. You always have. They sat together in the fading light. The television screen dark Victoria's journal on the coffee table beside them.
Outside the sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Daddy, yeah. Do you think she can hear me? Wherever she is. Daniel thought about that.
He wasn't sure what he believed about heaven, about souls, about what happened after death. But he believed in love. He believed that love didn't end just because someone stopped breathing. I think so, baby. I think she hears everything.
Lily nodded satisfied. Then she closed her eyes and began to speak quietly, almost a whisper. Hi, Victoria. It's Lily. You're Lily.
I know you can't answer, but I wanted to talk to you anyway. I read your journal, all of it. I know how much you loved me. I know you searched for me for 15 years. I know you never gave up.