It was too soon. All too soon. That’s what he kept telling himself. Time kept moving too quickly, his child grew up one more year a few days ago, adding onto the many years they already had. Not to mention that he had noticed he was growing more white hairs than he had before. How the hell was Jason supposed to take care of another life when he can barely keep his own emotions in check, when he has his own baggage to deal with? All he could do right now was rest his face against his hands, trying to keep his stress at bay.

Jason had his doubts, having a child while he was still picking up pieces of his own screwed up life even after so long? Might just be the worst decision ever. Yet he went with it anyways. Now here he was, at a bar late at night, drinking away his stress. He made sure both his spouse and child were asleep before he left quietly, just for a moment to think to himself. Jason couldn’t muster up the courage to wake them up.

He loved them, he really did. Hell, he even partially gave up being a vigilante. This was the universe giving him a chance to be the father that he himself never had. Now he was doubting himself, regretting his decision. If he left now, if he really just went along with abandoning his own family, he would be just as guilty as his father was. If not worse.

With a deep sigh, he looked up as the bartender passed him. “Another one.” He grumbled, gesturing at his almost empty beer. It was pretty late at night, so not many other patrons were at the bar at the moment, which did help ease Jason’s mood even if just by a little.

After receiving another beer, he heard his phone buzz. Not once, not twice, three times. “Fuck me..” he groaned, already knowing it was his beloved spouse. Jason could only hope now that he wasn’t gonna be chewed out by them. He picked up his phone, turning it over to see that he was receiving a call from them. After debating whether or not to let it go to voicemail, he accepted the call.

“Listen, before you uh.. you chew me out, I have a good reason for not being at the house.” He tried to placate them just in case.