Part 2- This is Your Pilot Speaking

Chapter 13

"Are you sure you're OK, love?"

Alice looked up at Griffin and smiled. They were on their way to meet up with Bruce and Paddy for dinner. Griffin had spoken to Paddy, and although she was hesitant, she was willing to put her feeling aside for him. She told Griffin up front that she didn't trust Alice, but she hoped that getting to know her better would change that. Paddy didn't want to push Griffin away. She was close to all three of her children and wouldn't want to do anything to break that closeness.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just nervous is all." Alice hadn't seen Bruce or Paddy since that night in Ibiza, and things hadn't ended well. She wanted to show Griffin that she cared for him, that her feelings for Bruce were no longer there. She also wanted to show his parents that her feelings for Griffin were true, that she wasn't with him to be close to Bruce. Alice hoped that everything would work out.

Griffin smiled at her, "Don't be nervous. I ensure you, Mum and Dad will be OK. They're both happy for me."

"How about you, how do you feel? Are you worried about what may happen?"

Griffin sat quietly, thinking about the question, he grabbed Alice's hand and sighed, "I honestly don't know. I've always been honest with you. I trust you, and I trust Dad...but at the same time..." he shrugged, not knowing how to continue on.

Alice squeezed his hand, "At the same time what?"

"At the same time, you guys had a relationship together. It was only for a week or so, but still, a week of being with my Dad. I love him, and the feelings I am developing for you are getting deeper, but, how can I compete with Bruce fucking Dickinson? I'm not talking about the dork that wears sweats around the house and likes to watch game shows on the telly, I'm talking about Bruce fucking Dickinson. How can I compete with him?"

Alice reached out her hand and caressed his cheek, she pulled him into a kiss. "Griffin, darling, you're not competing against Bruce Dickinson. I understand your concern, but please, don't worry. Anything that went on between him and I is in the past. He is your Dad. I'll still appreciate his music, and look forward to hanging out with him, but as your Dad. That is all."

Griffin nodded, he hoped that everything would be OK. For once he had found someone who made him truly happy. He didn't know what he would do if it all went down in flames.——————————————————————————————————————————————————Paddy and Bruce sat at a quiet table in the back of a local Italian restaurant. They were waiting on Griffin and Alice to show up. Bruce had recommended a restaurant as the meeting point as opposed to their house. He didn't want things to become uncomfortable or for Paddy to have the upper hand on things in her personal territory. He hadn't seen Alice since Ibiza. How would he react when he saw her? Would he feel the familiar stir in his stomach that he did for the entire time they were together? Would his feelings for her resurface? He hoped not. He was finally in a good spot with Paddy, and his Son was happy.

Paddy took out her phone to look at the time. It was 7:15 PM. Griffin and Alice were late. They were supposed to meet up at 7. Paddy didn't tolerate tardiness. She was always early for all her appointments, and made it a point to be on time if she was meeting with someone. She didn't like keeping people waiting.

"Pad, will you please stop looking at the time. I'm sure they will be here soon. You know how bad the traffic can be."

Paddy looked up at Bruce and sighed, "Yes, but they knew we were supposed to meet at 7. Why didn't they leave early? I bet they're late because of Alice."

Bruce shook his head, it was pointless to argue with her. He hoped that she would see what a caring young lady Alice was. From what Griffin had told him, they were happy together. He hoped that Paddy could see that and put her past feeling aside.

A few minutes later, Griffin and Alice came in and sat at the table with them.

"Sorry we're late. We were on our way when I realized I had left my wallet at my flat. I had to turn around and go back for it."

"It's alright mate, don't worry. I'm just glad you two didn't bail out on us." Bruce looked at Griffin and smiled. He glanced over at Alice, she was as beautiful as he remembered.

"Thank you Bruce and Paddy for having dinner with us. Griff and I were surprised when you guys agreed to come."

Paddy let out a chuckle, "Surprised? Why is that? Why wouldn't I want to come out and have dinner with my Son and his girlfriend?"

Bruce recognized the tone in her voice. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, hoping that she wouldn't continue.

Griffin could also feel then tension in his Mum. He decided to answer for Alice, hoping to defuse the situation. "We just didn't know if you guys were busy or not. You know, since Dad always has a ton of things going on...."

Paddy pulled her hand away from Bruce, "Son, please. Stop. I know exactly why you guys didn't think we would come. You thought that I would have an issue with Alice since she fucked your Dad. But I'm here, aren't I? No matter how many times you've fucked him, darling, he's with me now, and I can fuck him better than you ever could."

Alice was in shock. She could feel tears start to form in her eyes. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. They had just sat down, and Paddy was already being nasty with her.

"I...." she could feel tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry...I should have never came. I'm sorry I'm not good enough for your Son. I do care for him, a lot. But you obviously don't believe me. Maybe I should just leave." she grabbed Griffins' hand,"I'm sorry Griffin, but I don't think we can see each other. Your Mum obviously doesn't want us to be together. I can't...." she began to cry. "I'm sorry..." she stood up and walked out.

"What the fuck Mum!!" Griffin stood up, "I thought you would be happy for me. Why do you have to be such a bitch?"

"Don't talk to your Mother that way." Bruce was fuming. He was pissed at Paddy, but he'd never let his children disrespect her.

"Fuck off Dad. You can both fuck off. I don't want to see either of you until you pull your head out of your ass and realize that I deserve to be happy. I don't give a fuck what you think of Alice, I'll never show my face in your house again if you don't accept her. If that's what you want, you fucking got it. Once you decide you want to talk, fucking give me a call. Until then, fuck you."

Paddy had never heard Griffin talk to her like that. Why had she decided to say those things to Alice, she didn't know. She was still jealous. She wanted Alice to know that she would never be with Bruce again. But why did she have to risk her relationship with her Son?

"Let's go. I'll drop you off at home and I'll be staying at our flat in London. I can't stand to look at you right now, much less be in the same room with you."