Part 2- This is Your Pilot Speaking

Chapter 2

Bruce was in the back garden of his house drinking a beer when he heard the front door of the house open.

"Dad?" Austin let himself in, carrying a case of beer and a bag of snacks.

Bruce smiled to himself, he was glad Austin had agreed to stop by, after everything that had happened he needed some positivity in his life.

"In the back garden, Son."

Austin walked up to Bruce and gave him a hug. He wasn't much taller than Bruce, and they were both similar in build. Short but muscular. Griffin was taller and leaner, a trait he had inherited from Paddy.

"It's good to see you." Bruce handed Austin a beer, sitting back down on the couch they had in the patio.

Austin hadn't seen Bruce in a couple of months. His band, As Lions, were busy promoting their debut album and whenever he had a break he would spend it with his girlfriend Liz. He was close to his parents, as were Griffin and Kia, but it wasn't unusual for them to go for a long period of time without seeing each other. They would make it a point to talk on the phone or through text, at least for peace of mind on Paddy's end. Bruce knew how life on the road and in the studio was, Paddy did as well after being with Bruce for so long, but these were her boys. She didn't like not hearing from them.

Austin noticed that Bruce looked tired. Not only physically, but emotionally. The spark that was always in his eyes wasn't present. He had worry lines etched on his face that weren't there the last time he had seen him. Even through his bout with cancer he didn't look this defeated.

"Dad? Are you doing OK?" he sat down next to Bruce, not looking away from the man in front of him.

Bruce looked up at his oldest Son and gave him a smile. He could tell he was worried. Austin was a lot like Paddy. He couldn't hide what he was feeling. He would try, but his eyes always gave him away.

He sighed and shook his head, "No. No point in lying to you Son. Guess that's why I called you over. I'm not OK. I fucked up." Bruce could feel his wall begin to crumble, the look of pain in Paddy's face was burned in his mind. The confusion and pain as she came to realize her marriage was over. That look had etched itself into Bruce's mind, and no matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't go away. "I've lost your Mum. I fucked up and I lost her. I don't think she'll forgive me this time."

Austin knew what had happened, Paddy had told him that she and Bruce were separating and had told him the reason why. He didn't want to believe that Bruce had cheated on his Mum. They had the perfect marriage and were always so loving towards each other. He had vague memories of a massive quarrel they had in Brazil, and later found out it was due to Bruce cheating on Paddy. They overcame that indiscretion and were able to move on from it. Now, more than 20 years later, Bruce had done it again.

"Why did you do it? Why did you cheat on Mum?" Austin wasn't angry at his Dad. He was upset over his actions, but he wasn't angry at Bruce.

Bruce shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know Austin. Alice was fun, she's beautiful, young...she made me laugh..." he could feel tears coming down his cheeks. He wasn't one to be vulnerable in front of his kids, but he couldn't bring himself to care right now, "...I was smitten with her. We clicked in so many ways."

Austin nodded, he understood how it felt to find someone with whom you can be yourself with. He and Liz had been dating for 2 years and it already felt like she was his soulmate. She put up with his quirks, his impulsive decisions, and his chaotic schedule with his band. She had not once complained about it. Austin knew Liz made him feel what Alice made his Dad feel...what Paddy had once made him feel.

"What about Mum? Are you not in love with her anymore?"

Bruce looked up at his Son. He knew he was trying to hold himself together. Even though he was a grown man, his parents marriage falling apart was having a negative effect on him.

"Austin, Son..." he scooted closer to him and wrapped his arm around him, pulling him closer to him, "....listen. I love you Mother. I love her more than anything in the world. She is the love of my life. I regret what I have done. I regret hurting her and hurting you, Griff, and Kia. I swear to you Son..." he looked Austin in the eyes, his expression serious, "....I swear to you, that I will do whatever I can to prove to your Mum that I still love her. She may never forgive me, we may never get back together....but I will prove to her that I love her. I have always loved her. I will always love her."

Austin chuckled, "I sure hope she forgives you. She loves you as much as you love her, I know she does. But you have fucked up pretty bad this time. But....at least I'll get 2 Christmases if you guys don't get back together." he smiled at Bruce, waking his eye at him as he took a sip of his beer.

Bruce laughed with his Son, "How old are you again? 5? You'll be getting coal from Father Christmas at both houses if you don't stop being such a wise ass to your Dad."

Austin stood up, smiling wide as he gave his Dad the bird, "Let me get you another beer, Dad. I've already told Liz I'm staying the night, so let's get royally pissed."