Sitka had drove to the military cemetery, SJ had come with him. Both of them were dressed in black, this wasn't the first time SJ visited his grandpa's grave. Sitka and his family visited him four times the year, on his birthday, disease anniversary, Father's Day and Veterans Day. The kid was use to go to that place, but now knowing the truth about his dad's childhood, the visits had a whole new meaning for SJ.

"Hi Dad"Sitka greeted his father's grave as he touched the stone.

But then he realized his son's attitude, something was wrong with him.

"You okay champ?"

SJ shook his head.

"This isn't right"

"What do you mean?"

The boy looked straight at his father's eyes.

"This is something really personal dad, I can't just show and say how did you grow up coming here almost every day like...like if means nothing. You...you know, I can talk to my teacher and ask him to do my project about you and me only and..."

"Hey, hey, it's okay SJ. It's okay"said Sitka getting on his knees.

"No it's not. You...you never knew him, he was taken from you and he loved you so much. If I do this I'll feel bad because it would be like I'm making fun of you. I can't dad, I just can't"

SJ said all of that sobbing and with tears on his eyes.

"Hey, come here son, come here"

Sitka and SJ shared a hug.

"It's okay SJ, it's okay"he told him and then kissed his head.

...

Sitka had turned nine, he had a greatparty at home and all of his friends of school came. He received a lot of presents and her mom had made a delicious vanilla cake with peaches, Sitka's favourite.But after all the kids hadleft, Qigik gave him a family present, one it was told to give when Sitka would be old enough: His father's plates.

Sitka sit on the couch, at his left was Denahi and at his right Kenai sitting on his mother's lap.

"Well Sitka, ready for your special gift?"

"Yes! What is it?!"he asked with excitement.

"Close your eyes"

He did with a big smile and opening his hands, he then felt something on them.

"Okay, you can see now"

Sitka opened his eyes and saw a small blue box with a white ribbon.

"It's a gift from your dad"

The three brothers were amazed.

"Open it up Sitka!"said Denahi

The kid was so excited, but when he opened it up, he became more serious.

"Those are dad's plates"he told his mother.

"What does the note says?"Kenai

"Dear Sitka; If you're reading this it means that I'm gone. I don't know how old are you by now, and I'm sorry I cannot be here with you. But I wanna tell you that you and your mom are my entire world, my motivation to keep going" Sitka started to tear up "I regret you couldn't know me, I trully wish to be here with you right now and forever, but remember this, I'll be always watching over you and your mom. Because you're my son and I love you no matter what, and every time you wear those plates, I'll be there with you.

Never forget that I love you at the point I'll give my soul for you.

Dad"

Sitka sniffed, he putted the plates around his neck and then looked at them.

"I love you dad"

...

SJ was watching his father ride back home, showing the plates on his chest.

"Are those from him?"

"What?"

"Your plates, they were once from grandpa, weren't they?"

Sitka smiled at his son.

"Yes, they were"he said as he parked the car.

Sitka and SJ came out, just to be welcome by Hokani who was running to them.

"Dada!"

"Hello my little princess"

Sitka picked up his daughter and did a raspberry on her stomach.

"Hello you two"

"Hi mom"

SJ hugged Esmeralda, Sitka spent the rest of the afternoon playing with Hokani. He loved his daughter so much, every time he had the chance he played with Hokani. But there was only a thing that scared him the most, that his daughter should pass for what he did: growing up without knowing her dad. That fear always tormented him.

"You're growing up fast princess"Sitka told Hokani, but the little baby was more entertained with a teddy bear"I promise that I'll always be there for you, as SJ, I'm not gonna miss any important part of your life, since your first word until your wedding. I'll see you grow up, you're not gonna end like me, I'll make sure of that"

Hokani got on her feet and walked to him, then she accommodated on Sitka's lap and arms and let out a cute yawn while she subbed her eyes. This warmed Sitka from the inside.

"You're tired already?"

She nodded with eyes closed, then she cuddled against her daddy's abdomen and fell asleep.