Dear Mal,

I know that right now you're only a year old, can't read yet. But when you're older I hope you get to read this letter and see that I haven't forgotten you, I've never forgotten you nor your Ma. I want you to know that I love you son, and when I left it was cause it was for the best for you and your Ma.

You see, we loved each other, fiercely, but it wasn't to last. Longer I stayed, the more turmoil and feuding became apart of our lives. I want you to know that we tried to work things out, for your sake as you were on the way, but after awhile it was apparent to us that it just wasn't going to work out. I knew your mother would never annul, but I knew she would be miserable with me around, and you would suffer from the tension between us. You looked to have a brighter future without me, and your Ma a happier one, so I packed up and left one morning while you two slept. I left your ma a letter as my explanation, but I fear it eased her little.

I'm not proud of it son, but that's what I did and I remember it to this day. I want you to know that I love you, and I think about you every day.

Your Pa

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Inara gazed up fro the letter she had found in the pile, her mouth gaping, chocolate eyes wide in disbelief.

Mal had set Meilin in her basket and given her her toy keys, holding some of the pictures, captures and letters. Inara had the rest, and he braced himself for her reaction.

"He's... he's your father." The slender hand clutching the letters dropped to her side, and her dark brown gaze was filled with incredulity. "You freed your father..." brows knit together. "Why would you push him away?"

Mal began to open his mouth.

"And don't say 'cause'."

He gave an expression of frustration and went on the defense. "Because, I have the right to. Plenty of right in fact. I did the right thing, I helped him out, doesn't mean that I have to be friendly to him."

"He looked like he wanted to be a part of your life."

"Then why did he leave me and my ma, huh? Afte