Heaven, Hell, and Earth

Chapter 50

When Alastor heard that Solomon had collapsed and was rushed to the medical district of the bureau, he felt instant panic and fear and Charlie felt his panic and fear. She didn't know what it meant at first but she knew something was wrong. She immediately left work early and rushed down to the bureau, finding Alastor, Angel, and Vaggie waiting outside the medical district. They all demanded answers for what had happened to the closest thing they all had to a true father. Unfortunately the medics just insisted that they all wait until Solomon was stabilized. When he finally was he asked that his children be allowed to see him so they wouldn't be up all night worrying about him.

"How are you feeling Solomon?" Charlie asked, while gently grasping his hand.

"Much better Charlotte." He said. "I just had a heart scare that's all. Happens very often when you reach my age, especially when you have such an exciting occupation."

"But you're going to be alright?" Alastor asked with concern.

Truthfully, Solomon wasn't going to be alright and he knew that. He also knew that deep down he was going to have to tell his children this. Husk was right, if they found out any other way it would shatter them to pieces. But at the moment, he didn't have the courage to tell them the truth now. He wasn't sure if they could handle it now. But at the same time he didn't want to lie to them.

"It's been a long day, I need rest. We all need rest." He said and then chuckled. "But don't you worry, I'll be here in the morning."

Charlie, Alastor, and Angel smiled in relief, feeling certain that Solomon was going to be fine. But Vaggie could not help but sense that there was something wrong. Something in his eyes, his smile, his laugh, and his mannerisms. Something that the others didn't try to see cause they didn't even want to consider the possibility that Solomon could one day die. But Vaggie having always been the more realistic and sometimes more cynical member of their group had thought about such things many times in order to prepare herself.

She suspected that Solomon was hiding something and against her better judgement, when everyone was dismissed from the medical district, she used her wings to fly herself up into a dark corner of the ceiling above the door in order to eves drop on the conversation he would have with the doctor who examined him. Which was none other than Moxxie, and Moxxie found caused him to walk in looking so pale and lost.

"You're very, very sick sir." She heard him say, sounding almost broken.

"I know." She heard Solomon reply. "I've known for a long time."

"How long exactly?"

"Several months. I did my best to hide it from you all. For my examinations, I hired special medics who didn't know me and would not tell anyone. Foolish though, considering it would only be a matter of time before you found out."

"How could you keep this from us?"

"It wasn't to be cruel. I was planning to tell you all but then Pentious came back with his plan and I didn't know if you all could take the added stress."

"Does anyone else know of this?"

"Husk does. He did some snooping in my medical records. I made him promise not to tell."

"You're going to make me promise not to tell either, aren't you?"

She heard him sigh.

"I'm sorry Moxxie but yes. I don't want anyone to know yet."

"I won't say anything sir but you must know that keeping something like this a secret is a mistake."

"I will tell them. I promise you. Now I need you to promise me one more thing, in fact it's something I need you, Millie, Blitzo, and Husk all to promise me."