Quote Originally Posted by RyougaZell
My version is simply that he died. CC crying would have no meaning if he survived. She just appeared happy at the end because she learnt many things from Lelouch, and because she was happy the time they spent together.
The crying scene might be considered to lose some meaning if C.C. knew Lelouch wasn't going to die, but even so C.C. smiling happily after Lelouch's death would make far less sense in any case. Her original wish was to die and she chose Lelouch for that, but she eventually began to enjoy her life with Lelouch and most likely wasn't so eager to die after all, but again dared to dream of becoming happy. So, what manner of sense would it make at all that she would be happy and content if she was taken both of those things: Immortality (death) and Lelouch who was the first person who ever made her happy?

I think you are overrating the significance of memories of an important person. No matter how good memories you have, they won't make up for the person him/herself.