Regina and Daphne finally reached home after a long journey.
Daphne went straight to her room and sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the floor.
Regina knocked gently on the door. "Daphne?" she called softly.
"Yeah," Daphne replied.
Regina stepped inside, sitting on the chair beside her bed. She reached out and took Daphne's hand. "I know today was… a lot. Confusing. Maybe even scary."
Daphne didn't speak. She just looked at her mother, unsure what to say.
"Mom…" Daphne said softly. "Am I really not your daughter?"
"Why would you ask that?" Regina said gently.
"Well… Miss Katherine said I'm her biological daughter. Does that mean I'm no longer your daughter?"
Regina hugged her immediately. "You are my daughter."
She squeezed Daphne's hand gently. "I want you to know something. No matter what happens—blood or not—you'll always be my daughter. Even if you're not my daughter by blood, I've taken care of you for sixteen years, and I'll continue to do so."
Daphne's eyes widened, tears welling up. "Even if… even if I'm really…?"
"Always," Regina said firmly, her voice soft but full of love. "Always."
Daphne didn't hesitate this time. She leaned forward, throwing her arms around Regina. Regina hugged her back just as tightly, holding her close.
Her mother's arms were the same as always. Her love was the same as always. Nothing—not tests, not hospitals, not switched lives—could change that.
"You promise?" Daphne asked.
"I promise," Regina replied.
Regina wiped away Daphne's tears and got up. "I'll talk to you later, sweetheart," she said as she left the room.
Daphne fell back onto her bed and picked up her phone.
Text Conversation:
Daphne: Emmett… it's been a crazy day.
Emmett: What happened?
Daphne: So… I'm not my mom's biological daughter. But she just hugged me and told me I'm always her daughter.
Emmett: Wow… that's… really touching. How do you feel?
Daphne: Happy.
Emmett: You're lucky to have her.
Daphne: Yeah… I am.
After talking with Emmett, Daphne dozed off to sleep.
A few hours later, she got up, rubbed her eyes, and put on her glasses.
"Seems like you had a wonderful sleep," Regina said from the kitchen.
"I did. So… what's for dinner?" Daphne asked.
"Well, we're having dinner with the Kennish family. Go take a bath and meet me back down here in an hour."
"What? We're meeting them again already?" Daphne said shyly.
"Yes. They called and invited us over. And since you agreed with Katherine about living with them, I hope you're ready."
Daphne sighed and slowly headed upstairs.
At the Kennish House.
The doorbell rang. Toby opened the door and saw Regina and Daphne standing there. "Please, come in!" he said quickly.
The two entered. Regina looked around. "This place looks beautiful," she said.
Katherine met them in the dining room. "Dinner's ready. Wash your hands and join us at the table."
After washing their hands, Regina and Daphne sat down.
"I cooked a lot of meat. I hope you like steak, Daphne," Katherine said happily.
"Well… I'm actually vegetarian," Daphne replied.
Katherine stuttered. "What? Oh… sorry, I didn't know."
"That's okay. I see you also made salad—I'll eat that," Daphne said.
"Sure, go right ahead," Katherine smiled.
"Everything looks delicious," Regina said, praising the cooking.
The meal started.
"So, Bay, can you tell me more about yourself?" Regina asked politely.
"Sure. I'm a Capricorn, 5'5, I like to paint, and… that's it," Bay said.
"I see," Regina said, nodding.
"What about you, Daphne? Tell me about you," Katherine asked.
Daphne put down her fork. "Well, I'm good at sports—basketball and baseball—I like to sing. I'm also a Capricorn. Sometimes, I feel sad without a reason."
Regina laughed. "Let's not get too depressed."
"So… when will you guys move in?" John asked.
"Tomorrow," Regina replied.
"What?" Daphne said. "You didn't tell me that."
"Sorry, sweetheart," Regina said gently.
"Does this mean I'll have to change school?" Daphne asked.
"No," Regina replied.
"Then how will I reach there? It's like an hour and a half away."
"I was going to ask Emmett to bring you," Regina said.
"Okay… I'll accept that," Daphne replied with a smile.
"You know, we could always change her school to the one Bay and Toby go to," John suggested.
"No need for that," Regina said.
"How about we buy her a car then?" John asked.
Regina shook her head. "It's better if she goes with Emmett."
"Who's Emmett?" Bay asked suddenly.
"He's my best friend," Daphne replied.
After dinner, Regina and Daphne left.
"They seem like wonderful people," Regina said softly, smiling at Daphne.