Part 2- This is Your Pilot Speaking

Chapter 1

Bruce sighed as he walked into his home in Chiswick. It was quiet, too quiet. No Paddy to greet him with a warm hug and a kiss, no Griffin to give him a smart ass remark about his hair...nothing. Not even Sufi or Merlin had acknowledged his presence. Usually the cat would meow at him and rub himself against Bruce's leg, leaving a trail of his long gray hair behind. Or Merlin would squack from his cage letting himself be heard from the living room. There was nothing. Just Bruce.

Grabbing a beer from the fridge, he settled down on the couch and thought of everything that had happened in the last couple of weeks. Just a little over 2 weeks ago he had Paddy by his side. His beautiful, loving, and loyal wife of almost 30 years. The mother of his children. His best friend. His entire world. He also had Alice. Beautiful, fun, young Alice. His trip to Ibiza had been the most fun he had in a long time. Alice had encouraged him to not take life so seriously, to laugh at himself...to look at the world through a different set of eyes as opposed to his jaded and weary ones. He had become hardened over the years. He was a logical man, and if logic didn't solve whatever problem he was in, he had no time to dwell on it. He had no patience for fools, and had no problems telling them off. Bruce Dickinson was an asshole. And that had caused him to not only lose his wife, but also to lose the interest of a young girl he had feeling for.

Bruce ran his hand through his hair and pulled out his phone. He had to get a new one since destroying his after his conversation with Griffin and was still getting used to its features. Luckily, the man at the shop was able to transfer all his data so he didn't have to worry about that. He didn't feel like being alone. He thought about calling Paddy. He needed to hear her voice, but knew it was too soon after her leaving to try to mend things. Griffin was more than likely still upset at him, so he'd let him be. He decided to call Austin. HIs oldest Son proved to be a solid shoulder to lean on when he needed it, and he needed it now. Pressing the call button under Austin's name, he put the phone to his ear, anxiously waiting to hear his voice.

"Hey Dad!" Austin answered, his voice as cheerful as always, "What's going on?"

Bruce couldn't help but smile, he loved his kids. They had a way to calm him. "Austin. How's it going mate? I just got home and it's too quiet, do you mind coming over and keep me company? I need someone to talk to."

Austin knew what had happened between Bruce, Paddy, and Alice. He was upset at Bruce for cheating on Paddy, but he had also only heard her side of it. He wanted to know what had happened and why. "Sure. I'll be over shortly. I'll pick up some beer and I'll see you in 30 minutes or so. Sound good?"

Bruce knew he could count on Austin. He had moved in with his girlfriend Liz over 2 years ago but was always eager to come home and hang out with Paddy and Bruce. Even if it was just to sit on the couch and watch a movie. He was close to his parents and enjoyed spending time with them. More so since Bruce had been sick. He wanted to spend as much time as he could with his parents, not knowing what could happen or when it could happen to them.

"Thank you Son." Bruce felt his heart swell in his chest.

"Of course Dad, I'll see you in a bit."

"Austin...." Bruce didn't know why, but he felt himself get emotional. He tried to keep his voice calm.

Austin noticed the change in his Dad's voice, "....yeah Dad? You OK?"

"Yeah, I'm perfect. I love you Son."

Austin gave a little chuckle, "Love you too Dad."

Bruce ended the call and sat with his phone in his hands. He could feel tears coming down his cheeks. He felt proud of the man Austin had become. Griffin, Austin, and Kia were 3 down to earth young adults, who would give the shirt of their backs to help someone in need. And they were that way because of Paddy. And how did Bruce thank her for her hard work and sacrifice? By falling in love with someone else.
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Alice rolled over in bed and felt her stomach drop when she saw the person beside her. She had met Graeme at the club the night before. He was on vacation from Australia and had quickly talked his way into Alice's room. She didn't need much persuasion though. She was still upset at Bruce and thought this was a way to get back to him. Now that all was said and done and she had sobered up, she knew it was an idiotic thing to think. Her and Bruce weren't together, never had been, never would be. And get back to him for what? For going back to his wife? He had cheated on Paddy with her after all. She doubted Bruce cared who she slept with. She had ended things with him and swore that she no longer wanted to see him.

She shook Graeme awake. Alice needed him out of her room, out of her life. He wasn't Bruce. She had no feelings for him. He was just a quick lay. Like Bruce was, only she had fallen in love with him.

"Hey, wake up." Alice shook him a little harder. "Graeme, wake up!"

Graeme grunted as he opened up his eyes, focusing on Alice, he smiled and tried to pull her to him. "Hey Love. How are you feeling?"

Alice pulled away from him. She didn't want him to touch her. "I need you to leave." she stood up, not looking him in the eyes and grabbed a bottle of water from the mini fridge, taking it to the balcony.

Graeme sat up in bed, she was so willing the night before. He didn't know what had happened. "Alice? You want me to leave? Why? Don't you want to grab breakfast and maybe go out for the day?"

Alice turned around and looked at him, seeing the confusion in his eyes. She had led him on and now she was kicking him to the curb. Just like she had done to Bruce.

She shook her head, looking away as she spoke, "No. I don't want to hang out. Last night was a mistake. Please just go."

Graeme tried to argue but the look on Alice's face told him that it was pointless to do so. He got out of bed and began to get dressed, trying to get some sort of reaction from Alice. Trying to read her face to see if there was any emotion, but all he saw was a stone facade. Her face and body language were void of any emotion. It was as if he was looking at a marble statue.

Walking towards the door, he looked at Alice one last time. "I hope whoever he is, makes you happy. I had fun with you last night, but I can tell there is someone else." he gave her a weak smile and walked out the door.

Alice felt her legs give out from under her. Graeme's words were echoing in her mind, "...I hope whoever he is, makes you happy....." she began to cry as she thought of Bruce. Bruce had made her happy. And now he was gone.
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Paddy was in the flat her and Bruce had in London. It was close to the studio he would use at times for his solo albums and some of the vocals for Maiden had been recorded there as well. He was usually knackered by the time he was done and didn't feel like driving the 30 minute commute to Chiswick, so they had bought a flat nearby.

Griffin had stopped by to keep her company. They were now watching a movie together after having dinner.

Griffin had noticed a change in his Mum since she had returned from Ibiza. She hadn't told him what had happened, but he noticed that she wasn't herself. She seemed withdrawn. He decided to ask her what was wrong.

"Mum?"

Paddy was deep in thought, the movie on the screen had been long forgotten. She looked up at her youngest Son, as if she just now realized he was there. She noticed the look of concern on his face. She took a deep breath and forced a smile on her face. She didn't want him to see her sad.

"Yes Son?"

Griffin could tell his Mum was feigning she was OK. Her eyes were sad. She had the liveliest, brightest eyes he had ever seen. Now they were dull and lackluster. He hated seeing her like this.

"What happened in Ibiza when you went to see Dad? Please Mum. You haven't been the same since you've been back." he stood up and sat next to her on the couch. "Mum, I hate seeing you like this." he was holding back tears, trying to keep his voice calm.

Paddy closed her eyes, tears began to roll down her cheeks. She grabbed onto Griffin's hands and gave them a tight squeeze. Opening her eyes back up, she noticed that he was crying.

"Griff, Son...." she wiped his tears away with her hand, "Please don't cry. I'm OK. I promise." she sighed as she looked away from him, "I'm separating from your Dad. As much as it pains me, I can't deal with his lies any longer. I'm taking a break. Maybe for a short while, maybe for good. But I can't do it any longer." she gave him a weak smile, "I hope you're not upset. And please, don't be upset at you Father."

Griffin felt his heart break. His parents were separating. Sure, he was a grown man, but it still hurt. "Mum, I love you. You deserve better. I love Dad. I love you. But Dad has treated you like shit. You fucking deserve the world."

Paddy let out a chuckle, she knew Griffin would understand. "Thank you Son." she gave him a hug, holding onto him for dear life. "Thank you for understanding."