Ron returned to his alley. As he neared his home, he noticed someone knocking at his door.
Ron called from behind, "Yes, sir? How can I help you?"
The man turned, and Ron's eyes widened in surprise.
"Brian."
"Ron, my man! Long time no see."
"How have you been?" Brian asked.
"I'm good. How about you? I heard you moved to China. What brings you here?"
"Hahaha, I came to meet an old buddy," Brian said.
"Please, come in." Ron opened the door and gestured him inside. They walked into the living room and sat down.
"So, Brian, what do you want for dinner? Tell me, I'm a great cook—or I can order something online," Ron offered.
"No, don't trouble yourself. I just wanted to meet you," Brian said.
"I do message you from time to time," Ron said. Both laughed, like long-lost brothers reconnecting.
"I'm here, Ron, to congratulate you," Brian said.
"Congratulate me? For what? I should be congratulating you—your son is born," Ron said.
"Thanks, buddy," Brian smiled.
"Is it a girl or a boy?" Ron asked.
"It's a boy. He has his mother's eyes and my facial features," Brian said.
He paused, taking a deep breath. "I wanted to come here sooner… but I couldn't."
"Did something happen?" Ron asked, concern etched on his face.
"I'm sorry to bring it up… the second I got news that your wife and two daughters died, I wanted to come. But I couldn't… I couldn't bear to see you grieving. I'm sorry for your loss. You know your elder daughter, Ines, and Ai, the little one—I saw them in the pictures Carter showed me. I was so happy for you."
"You don't have to worry. I'm fine," Ron said, trying to compose himself.
"This isn't easy," Brian continued. "When my wife was pregnant, I stayed with her day and night. To look after her."
"Why?" Ron asked.
"You know how it is when a woman is pregnant," Brian said. "She needs care. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, she has cravings. She needs to know someone is there with her, that she's safe. That she doesn't have to be scared."
Ron's eyes widened.
When Dream was pregnant for the first time… I went to train. For two years I was gone. How did Dream manage herself alone?
Brian's voice pulled him back. "When a child is born, a woman needs attention. Because sometimes… sometimes she gets scared, even angry. She could hurt herself—or the child."
That hit Ron like a blow.
"After two years, when I returned for a week… my elder daughter, Ines, was two years old. How did Dream manage? And then, when I stayed for a week and left again to train, I left her pregnant once more for two years… What have I done? I let her suffer for four years. She never complained… she took care of my daughters. Why, Dream? Why? I'm so sorry."
"Ron… Ron." Brian's voice was gentle, grounding him.
"Why are you crying, Ron?" Brian asked.
Ron noticed a tear sliding from his left eye. He smiled faintly. "It's nothing." But the tears kept coming.
"Let me take you to the hospital," Brian said, worry in his tone.
"No… I'm fine." His voice cracked.
"Tell me… if you have something on your mind," Brian said.
"When my wife was pregnant, I went to train for two years. I came back for a week. Everything was normal. My daughter was two years old. Then I left after a week and trained for two years again. During the week I returned, she was pregnant. And I left. She carried everything alone. What have I done? I love her… but I wasn't there when she needed me the most. I'm the worst human being. I failed as a human, as a husband, and as a father." Ron fell to his knees, crying like a child.
Brian patted his shoulder. "Carter told me at that time that a strong threat was coming, so you trained. And the second time your wife got pregnant, she wouldn't find out for months. That's not your fault. She loved you, and she didn't want to burden you. If she had told you while leaving you here alone… none of us would have survived. I know how it feels when your pregnant wife calls you. Manly instincts rise, and everything else fades—except her."
He hugged Ron tightly. "Please, don't worry. You'll make her happy."
Ron hugged him back. Brian let him cry.
After a few minutes, Ron pulled away slightly and whispered, "I will fix this one day. I promise."