"We will see," Darryn agreed. He had no doubt his children could persevere whatever hardships eternal life threw at them; although he didn't really have to like it.

He squeezed his son tighter, then reached around him and took a cupcake of his own.

"You know, Gil, when it gets to this part of your life being over, you're not alone." Darryn bit his cake in half. "I mean, I know it seems like you guys have to be mature, growing up in this library, but I've lost a lot of people in my time, and Shinii did too. So we'll understand."