The Language of Flowers

Victoria sees Elizabeth’s old gray truck drive by Message. She rejects a bride whose fiancé does not come to their flower meeting. Minutes later, Victoria sees Renata walking down the street with an envelope. The two sit on the curb while Victoria holds the envelope and explains her history. Renata is kind and reflects on how much Victoria has grown since they first met. She compliments Victoria and her ability with flowers, comforting her before asking her to open the letter.

In the past, Victoria sits in court as a judge and attorney list accusations against Elizabeth. Elizabeth is refused care of Victoria, and the latter refuses to testify against her. Victoria gives the judge red carnation, meaning heartbreak, and runs out of the courtroom.

In the present, Elizabeth’s letter contains an apology and begs Victoria to come home. Victoria wants to go immediately, but she is too busy with flower arranging. She decides to emotionally prepare herself for what she might find. She receives an emergency call from a couple, the bride worrying about having chosen the wrong flowers. While pondering a question about food, Victoria realizes that Elizabeth’s wine grapes are ready for harvest and Elizabeth doesn’t know it. She encourages the bride to order a bouquet with every flower symbolic of her and her partner’s love, then calls Marlena to take over the shop. She drives to Elizabeth’s farm, where she evaluates the damage that the fire caused—though much of it has vanished in the last eight years. Victoria finds Elizabeth in the garden playing with her baby. Victoria runs away before Elizabeth sees her.

Victoria finds solace in Grant’s rose garden. Grant arrives, presenting her with a white rose and telling her about their baby: Hazel, named for reconciliation. Although Victoria encourages him to express his anger, he does not; he instead invites her to dinner. Grant takes her to the main house, which is repaired and clean, and serves her the dinner that he started cooking when he saw her climb the fence. Victoria eats, and Grant shows her Hazel’s room and a scrapbook that Elizabeth made for the toddler. Grant confesses that he had started renovating the house before Victoria left, hoping they could live there together. He struggled during his first month with Hazel, making mistakes and feeling guilty for them. He took Hazel to Elizabeth for help, but when he saw how happy the baby was, he decided not want to separate them. Grant and Victoria talk about the fire and Catherine, and Grant finally understands the love associated with being a parent. He asks her to stay but she walks outside. There, she debates returning to her apartment, then goes to the greenhouse instead.

With bouquet in hand, Victoria goes to Elizabeth’s house. Elizabeth embraces her and cries, then invites her inside. The two talk and Hazel reaches for Victoria, who holds her for the first time in months. Elizabeth talks about her and Grant becoming a family, asking Victoria to join it. Victoria asks what happened after the fire, and Elizabeth outlines how her grief over losing her was stronger than the fire damage. The three go outside to the vines, where Victoria and Hazel share a perfectly ripened grape.

Victoria moves into the water tower apartment on Thanksgiving. She reflects on hiring two more assistants from the Gathering House and leaving Marlena in charge of Message, while she spends time with family. Victoria knows that one day, she will be able to both work and be part of a family, but for now, she needs to focus on healing. She plans to improve her childcare skills, then move into the main house with Grant. Victoria watches Elizabeth wheel Hazel’s stroller down the lane for their first overnight visit and believes herself capable.