Heart of Steel: B. Bradshaw

Thirteen: Uncle Ice

It was mid morning when Steely's phone began to ring. She patted her hand over the couch cushions in search of her phone. After fumbling around for a few seconds she was able to grab a hold of the phone and quickly answer the call.

"Hello?"

"Hi sweetheart, this is Sarah," a sweet voice filled her ear from the other end of the call.

"Oh! Aunty Sarah how are you?" Steely moved to a sitting position. She was quite close with her aunt and hadn't spoke to her in a few weeks seeing as Sarah went a cruise with her family.

"I'm okay, are you able to stop by the house soon? Ice wants to have a chat."

"Of course, when did you get back?" Steely asked trying to keep the conversation going. Sarah didn't seem to be in a talkative mood but she allowed the conversation to flow for a few minutes longer.

"Two days ago. Come when you can sweets Tom will be waiting," Steely hummed her reply and the two women said their goodbyes. Steely couldn't help but have a weird feeling after their conversation but she didn't understand why.

She got dressed and drove the short distance to her uncles house. The minute she pulled into the driveway that feeling grew by a tenfold. It was so strong she almost didn't want to get out of her car but she knew Iceman was waiting for her.

Steely's knuckles barley tapped on the door before it was whipped open and she was greeted by Sarah. Steely could tell that Sarah was putting on a brave face for her and it was very unsettling. The house was so quiet as Sarah opened the door wider, signaling for her to come in.

"He's up in his office," was all Sarah said before she turned away and disappeared into another room.

Her uncles office was on the second floor of the house so she had to climb a set of stairs before coming to face the dark wooden door. He must have heard her footsteps because he yelled through the open crack, "Come in."

Ice had his back facing towards her as she entered the room, "Sit down darling, I've missed you." Steely made herself comfortable on the chair she pulled closer to his desk.

"How are you?" she asked, feeling a bit nervous as to what this impromptu chat was about. At this point he still had not turned to face her. Iceman's hands were clasped together tightly and his gaze was focused solely on the keyboard in front of him.

"I wanted to tell you this in person but I'm having a hard time finding the right words," he paused completely avoiding her first question. "Before I even say anything I want you to know how immensely proud I am of you. You are the daughter I never had and the love I have for you is something I don't share with anyone else."

"You have been a massive part of my life since the moment you were born and you are my daughter wether you like it or not. I love you with everything I have my sweet, darling girl."

"Where is this coming from?" tears began to well up in Steely's eyes as Iceman reached out to cup her face in his hands. She glanced back and forth between his eyes, confused as to why he was now crying. He began to opened his mouth to speak but Steely cut him off with a strangled gasp.

"It's come back hasn't it?"

When Steely was 14 Iceman was diagnosed with a nasty form of throat cancer. She had to watch as the cancer took ahold of the man she once knew. Steely thought she would never have him back. He was a shell of a person and it was beyond difficult for Steely to process. Miraculously he beat the cancer and slowly he started to become the man he once was and Steely, her father, and Uncle Ice were the same unstoppable trio again.

"Yes," his voice was ridiculed with pain. "I've been given 6 weeks to live," Steely reared back away from his touch. Her chair almost knocked back onto the floor from the force.