[In the future]

It had taken some finagling to send the package forward through time. But Jack had been told to expect it, so he received the gift with no problems. The paints and clothing were very welcome – Gail had always had a good eye for things her father would like – but what was even more welcome was the card. Later, after he’d put everything away, Jack sat by his easel, reading it over and over.

“I love you too, Gail. Please, be careful.”

[In the present]

The letter had come as a complete surprise. Jack had just finished making his own Father’s Day call to Aloysius Maple (he and Bonnie were out traveling the country again, but they’d still managed to have a nice talk), and had been about to go run errands, when the letter slid under the door. Even after meeting Gail so recently, Jack hadn’t imagined she would send him anything. 

You’re right, he thought as he read the letter. I do want to have you. Maybe time is fixed, and you’ll turn out just as you are now. Or maybe it’s not, and you’ll be a little different. Either way, I’ll love you.

He hid the letter in a drawer where he kept a number of keepsakes. Maybe, someday, if time really was fixed, he would show it to Gail’s future self.

[Going purple, but smiling. He doesn’t care that the number’s too high.] Th-that’s very kind of you, Anon. Thank you.

[[ … Is there any particular reason, Anon? Yes, Katelynn’s caused problems for Jack in the past, but she’s also done a lot of good things for him, and she’s learning from her mistakes. I really like them as a couple, so I’m afraid you’re out of luck 😦 ]]

[[ Fortunately, Metz has found another blue man to love, so I think things are safe on that front. And hey, that solves the Harrison problem too! 😀 ]]