Part 2- This is Your Pilot Speaking

Chapter 11

"Hey Dad, can we talk?"

Bruce looked up from his planner to see Griffin at the door of his study. He had been trying to plan a vacation to Paris for he and Paddy. As usual, he had a hectic schedule, but he was going to make sure to put aside 2 weeks just for her. He wanted to prove to her that he loved her and that he wanted to be with her, the he was sorry for what he had done.

"Sure, come on in." he closed his planner to give his youngest Son his full attention. It wasn't often that he had a one on one conversation with either of his kids, less so with Griff. He was a free spirit and was busy with his band. He was hardly ever home and when he was, he would usually keep to himself.

Griffin sat across from Bruce. He didn't know how he was going to start the conversation with Bruce. He and Alice had fun on their date the night before. After dinner, they took a walk along the river, getting to know each other, enjoying one another's company. They had decided to start a relationship, but they talked about taking their time. They didn't want to rush it and everything blow up in their face.

Bruce noticed that Griffin was uneasy. He could tell that he wanted to say something to him, but it seemed that he couldn't bring himself to speak. "Griffin, are you OK? C'mon mate, what's going on?"

Griffin looked up at Bruce and chuckled, "Well, I've met someone..."

Bruce smiled. Austin had been in a relationship for over 2 years with Liz. Griffin, that he knew of, hadn't been in any serious relationships. He had girls over that he liked, but it was never anything serious. He would probably be with the girl for 2 weeks and move on to the next thing. He had never once told his parents about meeting or liking someone. "Who's the lucky lady?" he asked, wanting to know who his Son had his eye on.

"Well..." how was Griffin going to break the news that his new girlfriend was the young lady he had, up until recently, been in a relationship with. "Her name is Alice..."

Bruce gave his Son a confused look, "Alice?" Surely, there were other Alice's around. His Alice wasn't the only one that was out there.

Griffin nodded, "Yes. Alice. The Alice you were with..." there, it was out in the open. There was no turning back now.

Bruce felt as if his stomach had dropped. His Son was now dating the girl he had been in love with? Why? Bruce didn't know how he felt. Jealousy? Anger? But, Alice was free to see whomever she wanted. He was back with Paddy and had no reason to care who Alice was with. But, why his Son?

"Griffin, are..are you sure this is a good idea?"

Griffin stood up and began to pace the room, he stopped in front of Bruce's desk, looking his Father in the eyes, "You know, I asked myself the same question over and over again. And I've always come back to the same answer, yes, I am sure this is a good idea. I like her, she likes me. And I trust her. I believe her when she says she's with me because she likes me, not because she wants to get back with you."

Bruce wanted to believe what he was hearing. He didn't want to see his Son hurt. He didn't want him to fall for some girl and only have her burn him. It had happened in the past and he had suffered from anxiety and depression since.

"I just don't want you to get hurt."

"Dad, I'm a grown man. I can handle myself. I just want you to know and want you to talk to Mum about it. I don't know how she's going to react. I want to bring Alice around the house, bring her over for dinner with you guys. But, if it's going to make either you or Mum uncomfortable, I won't bring her over. I'll still have a relationship with her."

Bruce nodded, he wanted the best for his Son. If that meant seeing him with someone he had been recently with, so be it, "Don't worry Griff. I'll talk to Mum. I will try to explain the situation with her. And I promise you, I will not make things weird when she's around. I will treat her like family." 

Bruce stood up and walked around his desk, he stood in front of Griffin and smiled at him. He was proud of the young man he had become. He had overcome a lot growing up, from getting in trouble at school, to constantly trying to prove to people that he was more than just Bruce Dickinson's son. He always lived in the shadow of his Father's fame. He now was striving with his own band, and was doing so on his own. He gave his Son a hug, "I love you Griffin." he pulled away from him and looked at his Son in the eyes, "Now, I do have one question....of all the girls why did you have to pick one I had a relationship with?"

Griffin laughed, "It just happened. I was going to tell her off, call her a home wrecker for ruining your marriage. But, we ended up hanging out and liking each other."

Bruce laughed with his Son, "Well, she didn't ruin our marriage. Your Mum and I are doing well. I plan on taking her to Paris for 2 weeks."

"So, I'll have your house to myself? The pool...the pool table....I can bring Alice over as often as I want." he gave Bruce a wide grin.

"Sure, as long as you keep out of my room...." Bruce winked at Griffin, "Now, let's go grab a pint. I may need one or two before I sit down and talk to your Mother."