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Columbia 
City of Calvard, Provincial Capital of Southern Cascadia
Jefferson Park
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[Img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b9/a4/d4/b9a4d4196976a36cb6679a98879ac123.png[/img]
Today just seemed the perfect day for a little outing with the family, Jacob thought, and in the end, it proved to be the right decision. Jacob, along with his wife, Gwen, sitting on the crisp, green grass as they watched their boys play tag with other children. All the while the couple simply laid against each other as they observed, the family pet, a native creature by the name of Sam-sam, curled up next to them, basking in the sun light. "What brought this on?" Gwen asked, just a little curious. 

"Eh, just thought we could use some sun." Jacob replied, subtly dodging the question, although his face said it all, something was on his mind...

"Come on, fess up, I can see it in your eyes." Gwen said, her expression unconvinced. Couldn't get pass her huh? Jacob sighed, looking to his wife with a weak smile. "I think I might be getting a promotion."  

Gwen's squealed with joy as she gave Jacob a tight hug, startling the family pet. "Jacob! This is great news!" Gwen said excitedly. "Why the hell would you hide it?"

"That's the thing, don't know if I'll get it or not."

"Well, even if you don't, I'm still glad we're for going out." Gwen said, as the two remained quiet for the foreseeable future, taking in the sight of the park, watching the children play. 

[hr]

The sun was about to set, the time to head home was getting near. The couple begun packing up their things, Sam-sam trotting about with energy. "Boys! Time to head home!" Jacob called his young sons as they both ran over. "Coming papa!" As they continued pack, something caught Jacob's eye...a man watching from the distance, his more stand out features hidden under the shade of a tree, although something about him seemed awfully familiar... 

"Something wrong Jacob?" Gwen asked, a little concerned with his vacant expression.

"Uh...sorry about that, Gwen." Jacon said, turn to her. "I'll be right back, you get the boys to the car." With that Jacob head off to the direction of the stranger, as he drew closer, he could slowly to distinguish the man's features, oh, they were familiar all right...It was Gideon, laying against the tree, hands in his pockets.

"Hey Jay." Gideon said in a somewhat muted tone, leaving the shade of the tree. "It's...been a while."

"Hey Dad.." Jacob said, not exactly in a welcoming matter. "What're you doing here?"

"Can't a father see how his son is doing?" Gideon asked, clearly sensing a the rising hostility. "Look, I know I've haven't been the best father-"

"Understatement of the year." Jacob replied. "Wished you had this much concern for me when mom was still around, and when she died, when I actually needed you."

Oh, that stung right in the heart. "Jacob..., I know this isn't an excuse...I was in a dark place."

Jacob was unconvinced. "You and a million others, the war left its mark on ALL of us." 

Gideon sighed, although he couldn't blame Jacob for his bitterness. "I know this won't fix anything....but I just wanted to say how sorry I am, how I left you when you needed me most, for my own selfishness."

Jacob was caught offguard with this, he can see a true sense of regret in Gideon's tone, no doubt it had to do with the death of his squad mates on Zeta-5. "I've made even more mistakes now, mistakes that other people that I loved paid the price for...I just wanted you to hear this, to hear me out."

"....Thanks, dad." Jacob said, still feeling off about this. "....What brought this on?"

"I'm gonna help some "friends" fix their own "mistakes"....I know this won't fix years of hurt...just know that I love you Jacob." Gideon said as he walked off, losing himself in the crowds. "....I love you too." Jacob muttered, tears flowing down his cheeks.