This was how it all started. Lucas’ father was a wealthy, royal and influential figure. He was among the tenth wealthiest men in Caledonia. His business cut across all areas of life. In the communication industry, he was there. In transportation, he was there. In real estate, he was there. In exportation and importation, he was there. In farming, he was also there. He was a philanthropist and an aristocrat, and his name was Darwin. His wife was Clara. She bore him five children, three male, and two female. Darwin had fifteen grandchildren and twenty-eight great-grandchildren. All his children were great in their various professions. He was a blessed man, full of hospitality. His home was open to all, including the less privileged.

Darwin was 5ft tall, he had a round face, small eyes, an upturned nose, and heavy lower lips. His grey hairs, wrinkles, crows’ feet, and eye bags showed how long he had lived on Earth. He was aged, close to his eighties. His hands and legs were no longer strong enough to hold him firmly.

It was evening, Darwin was outside his beautiful mansions painted in white. On a green mat, on a green field, he sat down. He was watching his little dog play with his golden walking stick. The evening was cool and friendly. And the Eastern wind was returning home, making the atmosphere a Haven. In curiosity, the little white dog kept biting the stick. Darwin was obsessed with the busy nature of the dog. He never knew that the dog was seeing itself from the reflection of the golden paint on the walking stick.

There came a joyful shout that drew Darwin’s attention from the playful dog. He turned his head. It was Darwin’s last son. He paid his parents a surprise visit. His mother was the first to see him entering the big compound with his car. From upstairs, she went down and embraced him. She pointed in the direction of her husband. Gradually, the sound of joy and laughter heard from afar was coming closer to him. Darwin recognized the voice. It was Benson. He smiled. From behind, Benson embraced his father.

“Where… have you been?”

Each word came out of his mouth with great feelings.

“Good evening Sir.”

“You haven’t answered my question, Benson.”

“Dad! I have been busy with work. Going up and down. Traveling. Hmm… Different engagements.”

“Last week, I thought about you. I thought you had forgotten an old man like me.” He gestured. His wife was just looking and smiling.

“How could I? I promise I will make it up to you.”

“Please do. That is why it is called family. We need to be closer to each other not just through phone calls, but physical contact as well. It is healthy, it is refreshing and most importantly, loving. See the big smile on your mom’s face.” He pointed at her. She smiled. “You can see it for yourself.”

“But dad…” Benson stressed the last word.

“Yes..?”

Benson lowered his voice and whispered to his right ear.

“If you didn’t work so hard, you wouldn’t have achieved what you have today.”

Darwin was a bit surprised in an amusing way. He looked at his wife, then at Benson.

“You may be right. Yes! But what I am about to say will make you all wrong. It was true, I invested so much time achieving all I have today. But I did this for you, for your brothers and sisters. So that you will not start from scratch.”

“Really?”

“Yea! Yeah.”

“Honey, I just had an idea.” Darwin turned to his wife. “Why don’t we hold a family get-together this weekend? I know you are happier when you are with your children.”

“That will be very nice.” Said Benson.

“Nice indeed. We can also invite our friends. It will be a marvelous opportunity to see my children, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren. Please, help me up.” He tapped Benson on his leg. “Let’s go inside for wine.”

Benson held his hand and as he was about to help him up, Clara distracted them.

“But...”

“But what dear?” Darwin asked.

“Your children. Your workaholic children. Some will not come.”

“Dear, I will personally phone them if I want to see all of them.”

“Except that. I thought Benson will be the one to send the message around.”

“No. Don’t worry dear. I am their father. I will woo all of them over.”

“Dad…Dy.”

Benson helped him up. Darwin placed his right hand on his wife’s waist and placed his left hand on Benson’s shoulders. Slowly, they walked away from the garden.

The next day, Darwin called all his children, starting from the eldest- Ephron. Darwin also invited his friends.

Two days to the occasion, party organizers were coming to decorate the four mansions and the compound. Vehicles were going in and out, all in connection to the party. The closer the time, the busier Darwin's compound.

That Saturday, one after the other, Darwin’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were coming in with different brands of cars. There was so much laughter, hugging, and gisting. It was an exciting reunion.

The party was successful. They ate, drank, danced and played various games. The party started at noon and ended by 11 pm. When the party was at its climax, Darwin took the microphone and drew everyone’s attention. He wore a tight-fitting dark blue suit. When he took the mic, the entire noise went hidden. Hundreds upon hundreds of eyes were upon him, and he kept smiling.

“I want to say a very big thank you to everyone. First, to my lovely wife,” he pointed at her, “my sons and daughters and my beloved friends. Many of you here may wonder why I am putting on this tight-fitting suit.” He turned his head and looked at the crowd. “Isn’t it surprising?”

Some people in the crowd nodded without making any noise.

“This is my wedding suit. I wore this suit on the happiest day of my life. The day we,” pointing at his wife again who was sitting at his far-right, “got married. Today is also another happy day for me. Now you know why I am putting on this suit.” There was applause from the crowd.

“I wouldn’t have been where I am today if not for my lovely wife. She was there right from the beginning. Even waking up very early to prepare my meal. With her, I became a father. From our five children, we have fifteen grandchildren and from there, we have twenty-eight great-grandchildren.” Another applause from the crowd.

“I have been blessed in all areas of life. I have doctors, nurses, engineers, architects, accountants, teachers, authors, artists, psychologists, economists, clergymen, politicians. Name it, I have them all. That is why…” There was great applause and some people stood up. The ovation was so great and Darwin could not continue. He gave back the mic to the host of the occasion. Then one of Darwin’s old friends took the mic and jokingly said.

“One profession is missing Mr. Darwin,” everybody turned to him. “You don’t have a soldier.” The crowd laughed.

The next morning, many of Darwin’s children went to their houses early in the morning. Clara woke up and saw Darwin sitting on the bed calmly. She moved closer to him and observed he wasn’t happy.

“Why do you look so gloomy this morning? A night ago, you were the happiest. This can be nothing, but the gloominess of the mind.”

Darwin refused to say a word at first.

“Please tell me, what happened?”

“Last night, I was mocked because I don’t have a soldier.”

“Is that why you are upset? It was just teasing.”

“I know, but I want my son or daughter to be a soldier. All of my grandsons and daughters are already engaged in different professions. And our great-grandchildren are too young. I can’t wait for them. This feeling will eat me up.”

Clara looked at him and felt compassionate.

“What if I tell one of our grandsons to become a soldier? Immediately after his graduation, he will plan for his retirement, and go back to his former field of study.”

“I will be very glad.” He smiled.

Clara went out in search of Lucas. Lucas was Darwin’s thirteenth grandson. He read Resort management at the university. He was in his mid-twenties. Clara had a special affection for him and both were very close.

Minutes later, Clara found Lucas and she told him his grandfather’s intention. Lucas frowned and she took him to Darwin who was still sitting down on his bed.

“Please, my son. Hand over the certificate to me. I will place it on the wall of my living room. That is all; by then, no one will make a joke of me. Please, I will give you whatever you want. Name it? Is it money? Job? I can build hotels for you in connection with your course of study. I can even buy you a yacht so you can travel around the world and I will sponsor it.”

Lucas was speechless. He placed his right hand on his head and scratched it looking at his grandmother. She used her eyes to signal him to accept the offer.

“It will not take much time. Within a year, you are done with it. Please, help an old man. It doesn’t matter the grade you graduate with. I just want to see you in that uniform and hand over the certificate to me.”