Part 2- This is Your Pilot Speaking

Chapter 16

Alice had enjoyed her date with Paddy, Kia, and Liz. It seemed that having them two with her calmed Paddy. She wasn't distant or rude with Alice. They had gone to a bistro near Austin and Liz's flat and after that had gone to a pub to enjoy a few drinks. Paddy was down to earth, funny, and extremely smart. Alice could see why Bruce had fallen in love with her. Kia was a lot more reserved than her brothers. She was quiet and mild mannered. Unlike Griffin and Austin, Kia did not follow in her Father's footsteps. She had graduated with a 2 year degree from the Drama Studio in London and had numerous acting roles both on stage and in studio. She was also more private about her life than Griffin and Austin. They both had social media accounts and would allow their fans to have a small glimpse of their personal life, Bruce was included in some of those candid moments.

While they were at the pub, Alice had called Griffin and had him speak to Paddy. Seeing Paddy's face light up while she spoke to him washed any reservations she had away. Griffin missed his Mother more than anything. Now that she had asked Alice for forgiveness and was opening up to their relationship, Griffin could once again have the closeness he had always had with his Mum. Paddy wanted all of them to meet up at her house. It had been awhile since they had all the kids over, and now that her and Bruce were once again together, she wanted to celebrate. She wanted to show Bruce that she was OK with having Alice around him. She trusted him. She loved him. Paddy wanted Bruce to see that her Son's happiness was the most important thing to her, no matter what had happened in the past, his happiness was all that mattered....and if he was happy with someone who had been with Bruce, so be it.

Alice was getting ready. Griffin was sitting on her bed watching her, a huge, dorky grin on his face.

"What??" she giggled as she picked up a pillow and threw it at him.

Griffin grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down next to him. "Nothing. I just enjoy watching you. I....I love you." he gave her a tender kiss. That was the first time he had told her that he loved her. And he meant it. He could try to tell himself that he hadn't fallen in love with her the first time they were intimate. He had told Austin that he wasn't like Bruce, that he didn't fall in love with someone within 24 hours of meeting them. But he did. He had loved her from the first kiss.

Alice blushed, she looked away from Griffin, giving him a shy smile.

"Did you hear me? I said I love you...." Griffin hoped he wasn't fucking up by telling her how he felt.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss, "I heard you." she looked him in the eyes and smiled, "And I love you too."

Griffin laughed, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, darling. Now let's head over to my parents before I get too emotional. We'll spend the rest of the day making love and miss our dinner with them."

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So Griff, do you still have to head over to Birmingham tomorrow morning?" Bruce was sitting in a chair in the back garden. Paddy had left for their flat in London. She had to wake up early in the morning to do some advertising work for her jewelry company. The office she worked out of was closer to their flat than it was to their home in Chiswick.

Griffin nodded, "Yeah. We have some radio press to do before our shows. We're also going to do a live acoustic set at the radio studio which I'm nervous about. Haven't really messed around like that yet."

Griffin's band, SHVPES, were based out of Birmingham. His band members were all from there, leaving him the odd man out from London. Birmingham was a 2 hour drive from London, so he had to wake up early to make the drive over there.

Bruce smiled at his Son. "Radio shows can be intimidating. Not only is it live, but there really isn't an audience to play to, so there's no feedback. You can't muck up and play it off like you can in a live show in front of thousands of people. Especially an acoustic set, there's no loud guitars to hide behind. I've done a few of them during my solo career, and they would always make me nervous. You guys will do fine though. I can't wait to hear it."

Griffin stood up and stretched. He looked down at Alice and gave her a grin, "I've got to get going, love. I need to rest up for tomorrow. Would you like me to drop you off at your place?" He wanted her to spend the night at his flat, but knew he wouldn't get much sleep if she did.

Bruce wasn't ready for Alice to leave quite yet. He hadn't had a proper sit down with her. They haven't had a chance to be alone. "Don't worry about it Griffin. I'll make sure she gets home safely. I'll probably have one more pint and go to bed anyway. I'd like Alice to hang out with me."

Griffin wasn't too sure he wanted her to stay alone with Bruce. As much as he trusted the two of them, there was still that nagging voice in the back of his mind that would make him doubt them. He had to chance it though. He couldn't spend the rest of his relationship with Alice not allowing her to be alone with his Dad. "Uhmm...sure. Thanks Dad." He grabbed Alice's hand and pulled her up. "I'll give you a call as soon as I get to Birmingham. Depending on how knackered I am after the interview and show, I may stay over at Harry's. I'll let you know." he gave her a soft kiss, "I love you. Be safe..."

Alice nodded, "I love you too. Please be careful on the road."

Griffin looked at Bruce and nodded, "Keep her safe. I love you Dad."