Collin swallowed hard. He closed his eyes, tried to picture Jiah’s face—but it came only in pieces. A smile, a rough jaw, a tousle of hair, a murmur of voice. Nothing whole. Nothing lasting.
But this—this envelope was. Something real. Something his father had touched. Something he had meant for his son to read.
Hands trembling, he broke the seal.
June 21, 488
To my dearest Collin,
Today marks five years since the night you were born, and I have treasured every moment. In those years, I’ve learned so much about you—and I know there’s still so much more to discover. Lately, I’ve discovered something rather remarkable, you seem quite taken with a certain young lady. Is it a five-year-old’s fancy, or the beginnings of a true and lasting love? Time will tell. But I do know this—you are a soul moved by your emotions.
When you cry, your tears come from somewhere deep. When you laugh, it shakes your whole body. And when you love, even now, you give yourself completely. That’s a rare gift, my boy. Many people go through life trying to feel less. I hope you never do. Yours is a heart made for wonder—for joy and for sorrow, for all the beautiful and difficult things that make us human.
Let yourself feel the good things fully. Let them wrap you up and carry you. But know, too, that sorrow will come. That’s the way of life. Don’t be afraid of the pain, but don’t let it take root in you either. It may feel stronger than you, some days. But it will pass—always—with time and patience. And when it comes, remember the joy. Remember the warmth and the wonder, and let those memories guide you through the darker moments.
You once asked me what it means to be in love. One day, when you least expect it, you’ll look at a girl and forget your own name. You’ll wonder how you ever smiled before you knew her. The sun will seem dim beside her face. Her voice will make your heart leap, just to be closer. And when she smiles at you, time will stop. The whole world will hold its breath.
It will be terrifying—and wonderful.
To love someone that deeply is one of the greatest things you’ll ever do. It will change you. It will make you better. You’ll become the kind of man who wants to protect, and build, and strive—not because anyone told you to, but because she inspires you.
And when you find the woman who loves you in return, you’ll be able to face anything. She’ll be your friend, your partner, your home. You’ll lift each other in your weakest hours, and celebrate your strongest days hand in hand. You’ll make sacrifices gladly. You’ll take pride in caring for her, and you’ll find your courage in the sound of her laughter.
But love, my son, is not without heartbreak.
One day, you will have your heart broken. And because you feel so deeply, it will hurt more than you thought possible. It might feel like the end of everything. You’ll wonder if you’ll ever feel whole again. But you will. I promise you will.
Don’t let heartbreak turn you bitter. Don’t let pain make you afraid to love again. Even if it breaks you wide open, let it. That’s how we grow. That’s how we become real.
And if ever you feel alone in this wide, wild world—remember this: you are loved, always. By your mam and by me. We are with you, wherever you go.
Happy birthday, my dear boy. Take your time growing up. Stay curious. Keep your heart open. And hold on to your wonder as long as you can.
—With all my love, Your da
Tears welled in Collin’s eyes, hot and yearning. His father’s handwriting. His father’s voice, caught between lines of ink and time. Advice—meant for him—reaching across years, still waiting patiently to be heard.
Sadness, joy, pain, longing—all of it surged at once, rising like a wave. He’d always known his parents loved him. But this was proof, tangible and irrefutable. Something to hold on to when the rest of the world felt like it was slipping through his hands.
The front door slammed.
He wiped his face with his sleeve just as Aries appeared in the doorway.
“You’re home?” Aries asked. “I thought you were out with Lekyi.”
“Change of plans.” Collin forced a smile. “Turns out I’m not as irresistible as his latest beachside conquest.”
Aries’s eyes drifted to the open crate. He stepped in and dropped onto the bed. “You finally opened it.”
Collin hesitated, then handed him the letter. “Read this.”
Aries skimmed the page, then looked up, his expression softening. “This is... Collin, this is incredible. What else is in there?”
Collin returned the letter to the box, fingertips brushing the edge as if reluctant to let go. “Journals. Pages and pages of them.”
“And?”
“I don’t know if I want to read them,” he said quietly.
