And so was I. She raised her glass to my mother. To the woman who never stopped searching. To the woman who loved me before I knew what love was. To the woman who taught me that family isn't about blood, it's about choice.
It's about showing up. It's about loving someone so much you spend your whole life trying to find them. 500 voices responded. To Victoria. Lily stepped down from the podium and walked to Daniel.
She took his hand. Thank you, Daddy. For what? For keeping her alive. For all of us.
Daniel squeezed her hand. She was never gone, Lily. She was always right here. I know. Lily looked at the portrait of Victoria hanging above the stage.
That confident smile, those dark eyes, that fierce determination. I know. Later that night, after the guests had gone, and the ballroom was empty, Daniel walked to Victoria's grave alone. It was cold, the kind of cold that seeps into your bones and reminds you that you're alive. He knelt beside the headstone and traced the words with his fingertip.
Victoria Anne Hayes, beloved daughter, sister, friend, and mother. They'd added the word 5 years ago at Lily's request. It looked right there. Complete. True.
Hey, Victoria. Daniel's voice was quiet, almost a whisper. Lily gave her first speech as CEO tonight. She was incredible. You would have been so proud.
He laughed softly. Actually, you probably are proud. Wherever you are, I like to think you're watching. He sat back on his heels. I think about you every day, you know, about what could have been.
About the life we might have had if you just lived a little longer. If your heart had held on a few more hours. If I'd said something sooner, done something sooner, been brave enough to see what was right in front of me. Tears rolled down his cheeks. But I'm not sad anymore.
Not really. Because you gave me everything, Victoria. You gave me Lily. You gave me purpose. You gave me a family I never knew I needed and a legacy I never knew I deserved.
You asked about my bed and I said it was big enough for two. I meant it. I still mean it. Daniel placed his hand on the cold marble. My bed is big enough for two, and you've been beside me every night for the past 20 years.
In my dreams, in my memories, in the daughter we both love. You're there, Victoria. You've always been there. He stood slowly, his knees protesting the cold. Lily is going to be okay.
Hayes Enterprises is going to be okay. The foundation is going to help thousands more families find each other. Everything you built, everything you dreamed. It's all still here, still growing, still changing the world. Daniel looked up at the stars.
I hope you're at peace. I hope you're happy. I hope you finally know what I should have told you that day in my office when you asked about my bed and I gave you some clever answer instead of the truth. He took a breath. I loved you, Victoria.