[Stony] Thirty Years of Hard Work, Back to Preschool in a Day

Tony stroked the baby's fine, sparse hair. Jarvis babbled and laughed, reaching out to grab one of his fingers. In that instant, Tony was so overcome with sorrow that he nearly wept. There was a desperate dependence in his gaze as he looked at the baby. At that moment, he knew what would happen. He knew he would never see such an adorable child again. He knew that after this farewell, he would face another long, lonely stretch of years. In the dim light, he watched the sleeping face of the little AI. Its delicate, tiny features faintly resembled the young man's face. It was so peaceful and serene, as if sleeping in the womb of the earth, as if it had returned to the depths of time. In that instant, countless distant, hidden memories seemed to surge up from his heart. Something fierce and indescribable stirred in the man's brown eyes. A storm of emotions swept through them, only to dissolve at last into a soft murmur on his lips. "...Daddy loves you." ...The AI he had spent his entire life creating had taught him, in the brief time they had together, how to love and how to show love. "...Forever." He spoke softly. At some point, a sheen of tears had appeared in his star-like eyes. He slowly bent down and kissed the baby's golden lashes. "Good night... and good dream." Theme: