Daniel listened, his heartbreaking and healing at the same time. I'm sorry I didn't understand when you were alive. I'm sorry I didn't say I love you back when you hugged me that day, but I'm saying it now. I love you. I love you. and I'm proud that you're my mom, my first mom, my birth mom." Lily's voice cracked.
"Daddy's taking good care of me. He runs your company really well, even though he says you were better. He tells me stories about you sometimes about how brave you were, how smart, how you never let anyone push you around. I want to be like you when I grow up." Tears were streaming down Daniel's face now. I'm going to visit your grave soon.
I'm going to bring you flowers. Lilies, probably because you named me Lily. Because lilies grow in the darkest places and still bloom. Lily opened her eyes and looked at the ceiling. I miss you.
I wish I'd known you longer, but I have your journal and I have your video and I have daddy, so I'm going to be okay. She paused. I hope you're okay, too. I hope heaven has chocolate chip cookies. I hope you're happy.
Lily fell silent. Daniel pulled her close and they stayed that way for a long time. The next morning, Daniel took Lily to Victoria's grave. It was a simple headstone, white marble, elegant script in a quiet corner of the cemetery. Lily had insisted on carrying the flowers herself, a bouquet of white lilies she'd picked out at the florist that morning.
It's pretty here," Lily said softly. Victoria liked pretty things. Lily knelt down and placed the flowers against the headstone. She traced Victoria's name with her fingertip. Victoria Anne Hayes, beloved daughter, sister, and friend.
Lily looked up at Daniel. It doesn't say mother. No, it doesn't. Can we change it? Daniel felt something shift in his chest.
We can try. Lily nodded satisfied. Then she turned back to the grave and began to talk quietly like she was sharing secrets with an old friend. Daniel stepped back, giving her space and watched his daughter commune with the mother she'd never really known. 20 minutes later, Lily walked back to him, her eyes red, but her smile bright.
I told her everything about school, about my friends, about the boy I punched for saying mean things about you. She grinned. I think she'd be proud of me for that. I think you're right. Lily took Daniel's hand.
Can we come back next week? We can come back whenever you want. And maybe we can bring Rachel and Grandma and Grandpa Hayes. Daniel hesitated. Edward and Margaret had visited Lily three times since the takeover battle.
Each visit awkward and strained, but they were trying. For the first time in their lives, they were actually trying. If that's what you want, it is. Victoria would have wanted her family here. All of us.