Daisy smoothed the front of her dress, pushing against the black fabric. She felt a flutter in her stomach and gathered her hair, twisting a strand as she searched through her jewelry. Seeley tottered into the room, Bear in tow. He plopped happily on Daisy's bed and Seeley climbed beside him. She finished sliding in her earrings and turned to face him.

"What's going on, peanut?"

"I just came in to see you, and Bear followed me. You look really pretty, Mommy."

"Thank you, sweet boy," Daisy said and walked over to him. She scooped Seeley up and balanced him on her hip, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "You look so handsome, just like Daddy did."

Seeley giggled. "Do you still miss Daddy?" he asked innocently and wiggled against her until he could comfortably rest his head on her shoulder.

"Yeah, I do, baby, but you know what?" Daisy asked as she brushed some hair from Seeley's eyes.

"What?" he asked, his eyes wide.

"We still have Daddy in our hearts and in our minds. He loved you very much."

Seeley's little mouth broke into a smile. "I love Daddy so much."

"I know, Seeley," she said, bouncing him softly.

"Mommy, are you going to see Mr. Henry tonight?"

"I am."

"He won't replace Daddy, will he?" Seeley asked, tears pooling in his brown eyes. "Mr. Henry's really nice but I like Daddy the best."

Daisy took a seat on the bed, hugging his small body against hers. "Honey, no one is going to replace Daddy. He was a one-of-a-kind, he's always going to be your dad, but that doesn't mean we can't expand our family, of course, if that happens it won't be too soon." She placed Seeley next to her and tickled his sides. "It's just you and me, buddy."

"And Dr. Brennan, Booth, Angela, Hodgins, Christine, and Michael Vincent. I drew them on my family portrait at school," he giggled between gasps for air.

"You're right, that's our huge family," Daisy said, the statement weighing heavily. She was so proud that Seeley considered them to be his family and she was so grateful for everyone's involvement and help with him, it meant more than she would ever be able to describe.

"Am I going with Booth and Dr. Brennan tonight?" Seeley asked.

"Yep, and Angela's going to be there too, she's bring Michael Vincent. How about you go put your shoes on and we'll head over there."

"Okay," he said, scrambling off the bed and racing towards his room. Bear looked up at Daisy and she rubbed his black coat.

"Would you like to walk around for a bit?" Henry asked as they pushed in their chairs and left the Italian restaurant.

"I'd love to," Daisy said as they stepped outside. A warm breeze blew and she leaned against Henry as they walked. He slipped his arm around her waist. The sky was a dark azure, the air thick with summer humidity. Their footsteps fell in sync as they strolled through the streets. Daisy let Henry guide her as they spoke about both everything and nothing, in the peculiar way that people often do.

Suddenly they approached the Lincoln Memorial and climbed the steps. Once on top Daisy and Henry stood together, looking at the Washington Monument, its image altered in the twinkling ripples of the reflection pool. Moonlight glimmered off the marble. Henry dropped to one knee and pulled a velvet box from his suit jacket.

Daisy bit her lip as her stomach flipped, she felt tears pooling in her eyes, because this wasn't what she wanted, this isn't what she was ready for, and as Henry knelt, confessing his love for her, all she could picture was Lance.

"…so, Daisy, would make me the happiest man on earth, and marry me?" he finished, drawing her back to the present.

Her words came out in a jumbled flurry as she politely declined. "Henry, I'm so sorry. I'm just—I'm not ready. I really enjoy the time we spend together but I can't do it, not now."

Henry stood up, swallowing his disappointment. He gave her a soft smile. "That's okay. I understand."

Daisy tried to smile back but she couldn't do it, not with the longing in her chest, the ache in her heart. "Thank you," she managed as they walked back to the restaurant where their cars were parked. Henry kept the conversation light as they ambled, it was awkward but Daisy appreciated his attempt to kept things normal.

Within forty five minutes, Daisy arrived at the Brennan-Booth household. She'd managed to hold back tears since the proposal and now she wanted nothing more than to go home and write to Lance, she needed time to figure everything out. She couldn't shake the feeling that everything was falling apart all over again.

Angela opened the door a moment later. "Hey, sweetie," she greeted, a grin lighting up her face. "Seeley's watching a movie with Christine and Michael Vincent. They're snuggled up on the couch, it's adorable."

Daisy nodded, struggling with words.

"Hey, you okay?" Angela asked softly, her eyes clouded with concern.

"Yeah, I'm-" her voice cracked, tears fell in a sudden torrent down her checks. Daisy shook her head. "No, I'm not."

Angela closed the door behind her and stepped outside. She pulled the younger woman into a hug. "Whatever it is, it's going to be all right, okay, Daisy?"

She sniffled and wiped her eyes. "I couldn't do it," she whispered.

Angela leaned back so she could look Daisy in the eyes. "Do what?"

"He asked me to marry him," she took a rapid breath, "but I couldn't stop seeing Lance. I miss him so much." A sob racked her body as the words fell from her mouth. "I thought I was finally okay, but I'm not. I'm not okay."

"Oh, sweetie." Angela squeezed Daisy's hand and rubbed her back softly as she cried. "It's going to be fine. Everything is going to work out."

Daisy shook her head. "Nothing's going to be the same."

"Look, Daisy, you're right. Things won't be the same, but when are they ever? Life has a funny way of changing just when you're getting comfortable, but that's what it's about. You've made it seven years since Sweets passed away. Seeley's six now. I know you think you can't do it, but look at yourself, you're doing it right now. You've been doing it for years. You're not alone, you know that. You have us. Please, sweetie, don't bottle this stuff up, if you need to talk about anything you can always call me or pop into my office. I don't care what time it is, you've got me, all right?"

"Thank you," Daisy breathed, the words shakily escaping her lips. She shook her head and brushed her palm across her cheek, pushing away tears. "Sorry I fell apart like this. I really have been doing a lot better, sometimes it just gets hard."

"I know, honey. You don't have to apologize. You're absolutely fine."'

The corners of Daisy's lips fluttered upward in a sad smile. At the same moment, Booth cracked the door and slipped out.

"Hey, Daisy, what's going on? You okay?"

She nodded. "It's just that Henry proposed."

Booth's head snapped up. "I'll kill him."

The comment elicited a watery laugh from Daisy. "That's not necessary."

"Good," Booth said, flashing a grin. He swung an arm around her shoulder. "Let's go inside. I'm sure Bones would love to see you."

May 8th, 2021

Dear Lance,

Henry asked me to marry him today. I didn't say yes, how could I when I'm still thinking about you? Henry and I were doing really well and now I'm afraid I've ruined it. He was very polite and understanding about the whole thing. If he still wants to, maybe I'll be ready in a year or two. I don't know. I feel so conflicted and lost. I truly was holding it together extremely well until today. Now it feels like I'm starting over again.

I felt safest with you, Lance, and I'm afraid I'll never find that security, that comfort again. Our son does make me so happy though. I love him so much. God, Lance, our son is incredible. He's smart and sweet and full of unconditional love. He reminds me every day that there is good in the world, that there is a purpose in my job, in my life. He reminds me of you, but he's also his own in the best of ways.

Seeley is in his last few weeks of first grade. First grade! It's crazy. He's going to be my big second grader pretty soon. We talk about you a lot. To him and all of us, your being is very alive. The way you lived, gently and bravely, hasn't been forgotten.

Sometimes, I feel bad for feeling bad, because things could be worse and I know that. I see victims and their families and much too often, they have nothing. I'm forever grateful to have known you, Lance. Some of them don't have anyone. I'm so lucky to have little Seeley and Booth and Dr. Brennan and Angela and everyone there. I went to go pick up Seeley from Booth and Brennan's after the proposal. I was a disaster, it was embarrassing, really. Angela opened the door and helped me feel better. Then Booth came out and cheered me up before whisking me inside. As soon as I entered their home I was engulfed in the feeling of family. Dr. Brennan and Hodgins even gave me little pep talks and suddenly, everything felt like it was going to be okay. I really believe it will be. Within a few minutes, Christine and Michael Vincent had leapt from the couch and were giving me big hugs, gushing to me about their day. Christine has grown up so much, she's becoming such a smart and beautiful girl. I wish you could see her. Seeley followed after them and pretty soon it was one huge group hug, and Angela couldn't help but join in, dragging Brennan with her and Booth followed her and Hodgins felt peer pressured. I haven't felt that loved in a long time.

I love you. I still miss you. I wish you were here.

With love,

Daisy