The stone on the left is engraved with the name Hayley Denning and resting on top is a small stone unicorn. While the stone on the right is engraved with Hayden’s name. Hers has a small stone mermaid perched on top. “I didn't know the dates, but we can add those later.” Victor rambles on, but Summer does not hear him.
She sinks to her knees in front of the main stone and traces her fingers across her Father's name. Her tears flow unchecked down her cheeks, and she whispers, “I can't believe you did this.”
Victor’s stomach drops. “If you don’t like it…” he starts to say, but she rests her head against the stone and sobs.
He steps to her side and drops to his knees with her. “Summer? I’m sorry. We can leave…” he tries to pull her, but she shakes her head no.
“No. I… It's... I can't believe you did this for me.” She wipes her eyes and takes a deep breath trying to stop the sobs wracking her body. “You remembered the unicorn and mermaid. Oh, God.” Victor picks her up and walks to the stone bench to sit holding her in his arms.
They sit like that until her body stops shaking and she stares before her at her family. “Thank you, Victor, for not forgetting them.”
The picnic is forgotten as she talks to him about her family. Stories she thought forgotten, and memories she longs to share. He listens laughing at her antics with her brother, and soon he pries her from the family plots to a picnic on a hill. They share wine and walk hand in hand back towards the spot where the horses are.
Two more horses are tied to the trees. Victor draws his pistol from his jacket and pushes Summer towards her horse. “Stay behind me,” he orders.
The sun is bright, and they can make out two male figures walking towards them.
“You are on private property, state your business!” Victor orders.
“My business is with the woman behind you,” Alex yells.
“Alex?” Summer flies around Victor and hurtles herself into his arms, screaming his name.
“Summer, girl!” He wraps his arms around her, and fresh tears fill his eyes. “I found you!”
“Alex!” Her sobs start anew, and he drops to his knees, holding her and weeping with her. “I knew you'd come.” Seth watches with a stupid grin and wipes away the moisture from his own eyes.
“Victor Yates,” Victor says introducing himself to Seth as he slips the pistol back into his concealed holster.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Yates. Seth McNeil, Scotland Yard.” Summer gasps when she hears his voice and rises from the ground with help from her brother.
“Seth, you came too?” Summer runs into his open arms and laughs when he sighs.
“Ahhh, of course, love. I needed to see for myself how you were,” he pushes her back and frowns.
“You look alright, a little wet for my liking, but no worse for wear.” Summer pushes away with a laugh. She reaches for Victor, and he is instantly by her side.
“Victor, this is my brother, Alex Denning. Alex this is my fiancé, Victor.” Alex’s grin fades as he looks at the two of them. He takes a step towards her and Seth stops him.
A grin of delight lights Victor’s face at her words. “Alex, if it weren’t for Mr. Yates, I would be in a workhouse or worse. He protected me and brought me to New York to find you.”
“That’s no reason to marry someone, Summer,” Seth declares.
“I know that. I love him, Alex, more than I could put into words. I know it’s a lot to process, but we waited to marry until you came.” She turns to Victor, “Can I show him?” She whispers.
“Of course.” Victor kisses her forehead.
“Follow me,” she says rushing away only to stop and wait for Alex at the gate.
“Way to pick em, Summer. Your wedding present is in a cemetery?” Seth says with a laugh.
They all chuckle until Summer guides them to her corner. Alex falls to his knees in front of the stones and bows his head to hide his tears. Summer drops down beside him, and Seth watches in shock. Her tears are softer this time, as she gives him time to process it.
“This is amazing.” He traces his parent’s names. “No detail was forgotten.” He looks at the twin stones and laughs at the carved mermaid and unicorn. “Perfect.” His tears flow unchecked down his face, and his heart breaks once more.
“It is much harder seeing their names in stone and realizing we will never see them again,” Alex explains, and Seth puts a hand on his shoulder.
He turns to look for Victor and discovers he has left them to grieve as a family. Seth follows to give them some time alone. “So, Victor Yates, that was brilliant. How is she really?”
Victor looks at Seth, “She's been through hell and is still going through it, but she is tough. You work for Scotland Yard?”
“I do. I'm going to hunt this bastard down and make him pay.”
“I can help with that,” Victor tells him about the detective and what they know. They discuss the plan and compare notes.
Alex waits for Summer to speak and he helps her up from the ground once more. He keeps her hand in his as they walk to the bench. “I know they aren't here, Alex. They dropped them at sea, and I couldn't stop them…” her voice breaks. She hides her face with her hands, afraid to look and see the disappointment in his eyes.
“Enough of that, Summer Denning.”
