Gabriel was leaning against the car, looking up into the overcast sky. The lights of Capital City were reflecting against the clouds, giving a yellowish orange glow to them. He looked at his watch again and looked around. He noticed the masses of people leaving the building forty five minutes ago, and was wondering why they were so late. He was on his last cigarette when he noticed the four of them coming towards him. He dropped the lit cigarette and stamped in on the ground. He was about to say something when he noticed something odd.

Simon and River had solemn looks on their faces, while Kaylee looked like she was fighting back tears. Regan was being carried in Simon’s arms. She still had that look on her face. That frozen look of peace and serenity on her face that was darkened by the overcast environment. Gabriel looked at her very still. His expression did not betray the sudden coldness that overcame him. He took very long breaths as the realization of what happened hit him.

He remembered their wedding day. God, she looked beautiful. He remembered the errant phrase “til death do us part”, which in his then naïve mind he always felt was a redundant phrase. But now the full meaning of those words rang in his mind. She had been his wife for thirty odd years. She had helped him in every conceivable way. She had shown him the value of compassion and had given birth to two amazing children. But he had neglected her. The things he fell in love with became annoyances in his mind. He had abandoned her children, and was slowly beginning to abandon her as her body deteriorated. Her earlier outburst had made him come face to face with his shortcomings as a human being. And as he smoked, he had made up his mind to stop with the bottles and honestly try to right his past wrongs. But as he cupped her cold chin in his right hand, he realized that there was now no chance at regaining her respect. No chance for redemption.

None of this came across as he pulled his hand away and stated plain