Daddy Venom.

Chapter 29: Coming clean

I look at her confused as she stands over me with her arms crossed. However, her stature didn't match the look of concern on her face

"I don't know what you mean." I say keeping up my act knowing fully what she means.

"Marshall don't lie to me. Of all people not me." She seats herself in Tink's empty place and sighs. "I called your doctor." The sudden feeling of fear succombs to me as I know where this conversation is heading. "She told me Marshall." She doesn't even get to continue as she looks into my eyes with sorrow. The back of my throat burns and I feel the sudden urge to breakdown. She must be feeling the same for as her expression stays the same her eyes get red with sadness.

Tears begin to escape from her as she awaits my response to explain why I lied to her. "I'm sorry ok. But I was afraid. I don't have the strength to tell Keith, Tink, and Travis that their father is going to be dying." As hard as I fought it the tears finally found their way out making me breakdown. "I fought this as hard as I could for nearly two years. Hiding it, now the country knows. And when I'm gone I will finally be the failure my father always said I was. Failing Tink as a parent, Keith and Travis as a father, and the world for never fulfilling my promise to help people." I wipe my eyes but just as soon as my hands move the years come back in even more full force. "And I failed you. Had I been smarter I could've been with you. But I ruined everything I ever worked to fix and To top it off I hurt the woman I love."

Before I could demean myself any more Bell lunges forward and hugs me tightly. Soaking my shoulder with her tears she chokes out, "you never hurt me. And you haven't and will never fail. Tink is such an amazing girl and is happy because of you. As for Keith and Travis though it took time they don't hold anything against you. Even though your time with them was short they already love you as the father they wished they had. I love you Marshall believe me when I say that. And I don't want you to have to deal with this alone." She says squeezing me tighter. "We have to tell them." She says making this whole thing hurt worse. More so because I know she is right.

"I know Bell, but this will destroy them." I say.

"I know. But we have to do it." I don't speak. I don't want to speak. Nothing I can say could make this any better. I am going to die there is no way around this.

Those kids are going to lose the only father they ever knew.... Bell and I went upstairs to go to sleep but while we layed together in bed neither of us could really sleep. Not with the current knowledge on our minds.

The next morning we were exhausted. Having only a menial three hours of sleep the both of us were worn out. I felt especially bad for Bell as she has to work today. Though I am tired I am used to getting little hours of sleep and offer to take them to school while she finishes her morning preparations. She thanks me and after they eat breakfast I drive them all to school.

On the ride Keith was telling us all about a dream he had where he was flying through the skies like a bird or something. I could only really half listen as my focus was both on the road and my current lack of sleep. When we arrived I wished them all a good day and went back home to lie down. I didn't need to go in today as Micheal would take care of it but even so I still had something to do. On my desk was the research notes he gave me to look over. After taking a deep sigh I grab them and start looking at what they had collected.

Nearly two hours later I was angry and frustrated because I had no idea of what to do. The notes were sound and clear to the eye yet a solution was near impossible to find. At least on my own. As much as I hate to say it I was at a lost. In my frustration I threw the notes on the floor and slammed my fist on the table. What was I to do? I take a long and calm breath before leaving my room and going to the fridge. After some contemplation I decide on just a water and a turkey sandwich.