A very sweet and fluffy and melancholic thing I wrote long ago, but I'm so fond of it. Don't ask me why. Set during How to stop an exploding man.

You will. (To my child)

Dear Claire,

I know that with every probability, this letter will remain forever locked in my drawer. I know that I haven't any right to claim your comprehension, your affection or your esteem, and I would never be that fool. There are many things that I would like to tell you, and maybe I'll never have the chance.

The madness of a disaster that we're afraid to fight is going to stuck us, and I feel such an idiot trying to pretend that I'm not scared, to pretend to have the situation under control. Therefore there's something that I must tell you, and I must do it now.

I only ask you to be strong. I'm asking it to you, because you are, because if who has the guts to come forward can't do it, who should we ask to? You will find yourself walking alone in a world that sucks, it doesn't matter who you are, what you have or how much you're worth. I considered you a mistake when you were born, and I realize the sort of coward I'm asking you to trust. But I need to hope, I need to cling to the hope that knowing that you are alive gave to me. God, I can barely believe to what I'm writing… you don't know how many times I tried to deny it. I implore you, Claire, don't look back, because the best things are all in front of you. I don't know what will happen to me, I don't know what will happen to Peter. Maybe only who deserves to survive will be there, and it is for this reason that I'm sure you will. And I would like to tell you that even he will. I would like it so much, Claire, even to myself.

And there is something else that you have to know. I'm proud of you, even if probably I'm understanding it only now. I lost many, too many things of my girl's life… if I think about it it makes me shiver, you know. Many things, but besides I didn't deserve it. I abandoned you once, and I'm never going to do it again. I will be there, Claire. However this infernal night will end. And when Claire Bennet will be the wonderful woman she's destined to become and will think about the failure that her father was, maybe a part of you – and I assure you that I'm hoping it with all myself – will ask herself if he didn't love you just because he never had the occasion to show it.

I often think about how would it be for you to know my family. And how much you remind me my children. It's not a suitable phrase, I'm ready to swear it. If it will be conceded to me to start again what's left of my life, I will teach them to love you. I would so much like that it could be you to do it. Maybe with Heidi it is going to be more difficult, I don't want to joke with you… I realize that you can understand perfectly. But the heart that allows her to love me and support me after all this time maybe will help us. Rather, it surely will.

Promise me something, my child. Promise me that you will thank for me the parents that have looked after you. That have loved you, that have helped you to become the right and brave person you are. It seems like everybody needs heroes, and between mines there is a place for them.

Time is running out. I look at that damn window that shows me New York, and I almost want to laugh. Maybe it's all a dream.

Maybe.

I know, it's not..

Come on, Claire. Your father is counting on you. A craven father who doesn't deserve you, but that will never consider you a mistake again, and is asking your forgiveness.

I love you.

Nathan.