[Climbing up on Solsbury hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night]
--- Lyrics to 'Solsbury Hill' performed by Peter Gabriel
Ray of Hope Part 17
As she read over the results from the latest test, Sally sighed deeply. Lowering the folder on her desk, she rested her elbows over it and dry washed her face with both hands. Frowning deeply, she sat back in her tall-backed leather seat. Despite the fact that her findings were not unexpected, the circumstances around it all made this particular case one of her most difficult.
"No sense in delaying this any further," the braided doctor muttered to herself. Picking up the receiver to her telephone, she dialed the front desk. When the receptionist answered, Sally requested, "Catherine, could you field my calls for me? I will be out of my office for an indefinite amount of time. As soon as I am back, I will let you know."
Without delay, Catherine's smile was evident in her voice as she replied, "Sure thing, Sally. I'll take care of informing Doctor Masey for you that he'll be filling in to take incoming calls for updates until further notice."
A small smile of relief spread on Sally's face as she told her friend, "Thank you." Taking a deep breath, she lowered the receiver, spun her chair from her desk and rose to her feet. Briefly turning back to take up the business folder, the young woman rounded her desk and stepped out of her office.
On her way down to the last examination room, the braided doctor bit her lip and worked to keep her emotions in check. Pausing with her hand on the door as she thought of how to breach the grim results, she took another deep breath and released it slowly with her eyes closed. When they opened once more, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Sitting on the side of the examination table, his hands folded in his lap, sat the shell of Septum Cole. The pale, frail looking man gazed up with sunken eyes as the doctor entered. The top of his head was just beginning to show the brush of gray hair. Over a year of aggressive chemotherapy removed the dark hair that once covered that head. Rendered with little more meat on his bones than what was absolutely necessary to survive due to that same treatment, the once well-filled out man was unrecognizable compared to his former self.
There had been a time when Septum was one of the most respected and influential people on the small island. While he still remained influential as the head of the wealthiest company on Cape Haven, he lost a great deal of respected when word quickly spread of his dismissal of his only son. None of that mattered to the entrepreneur, as his work became his only love and interest from that point on.
With a small grin, Septum nodded firmly, "Sally. Given the look on your face, I assume that my time is just about up."
Caught off guard by the acceptance in the man's voice, the doctor's widened eyes blinked. Raising the file in her hand as she cleared her throat, Sally replied honestly, "I am sorry, but I am afraid that there is nothing more that we can do at this point."
"How long do you suppose I have?" Septum inquired in a quiet voice.
Swallowing hard, the braided young woman lowered her gaze to the floor. Once she had her bearings, she lowered the file in her hand onto the table beside her. Meeting his sunken gaze, Sally answered simply, "With your condition, I would say less than a month. After examining the way that the tumor is spreading to the liver and pancreas from your lungs, I would not even give more than a couple weeks."
The look of relief on her patient's face was not all so surprising for one battling terminal cancer. From the accounts of others who suffered from the disease, Sally knew that it was a blessing for them to learn that their pain would be over... even if it meant death. It was a surprise, however, for her to hear the readiness from this man. Septum never was one to lower his sword to an enemy attacking him, even one that he could not see.
And yet, here he was, sitting on the cusps of losing his greatest fight forever and he was ready for it. Sally could have been knocked over with a feather.
Quickly clearing her head to focus on the matters that needed to be discussed, the braided doctor folded her hands behind her back and offered, "We could have you stay here, try some new medicines that might slow the process and reduce the pain when-"
Shaking his head, the dying man cut her off as he grinned, "No need for that, my dear. I do not want to prolong this charade any longer than it already has been. I suppose that I am getting what I deserve for not quitting smoking as my beloved wife had always asked of me." Shaking his head once more, the business tycoon said quietly, "No, and I wish to die in my own home, in my own bed."
With a firm nod as if he were finalizing the decision with himself, Septum announced with his usual air of professionalism, "I will speak with my lawyer and see that the proper papers are taken care of. I will contact the remaining members of my family to go over my requests for the wake and funeral services."
Biting her lip nervously, Sally prepared to ask the same question that she asked every time they met. Every time, the answer was always the same, but out of respect for her best friend, she never stopped trying. "Would you like me to contact your son, then?" she questioned in little more than a whisper.
His eyes narrowing at the inquiry, Septum spat, "I have no son."
Always the same. And it never got any easier.
Sally's own eyes narrowed at that. Even at this, his last moments, the man simply refused to let go of his bitterness. "Very well," she nearly growled. "I will see that your staff is equipped with the medicines needed for the pain." Unfolding her hands behind her back, she took up the file once more. "If they have any questions, they can contact Doctor Masey from this point forward," she advised with a firm nod before turning towards the door.
With her hand on the door knob, she froze when Septum all but shouted, "But you are my doctor! They should contact you!"
Turning on her heels, Sally glared at the frail man and gritted out, "As in your own words, I do not want to prolong this charade any longer than it has been." His mouth hanging open, the old man's sunken eyes widened in disbelief. Unshaken by his shock, she concluded in a curt voice, "I bid you adieu, and the best of luck sir."
Out in the hall, the young woman leaned her back against the door. Her shoulders sagging, Sally reached up to wipe the bitter tears from her eyes. Sighing deeply, she frowned, "Stubborn old fool."
Gently pushing herself from the door, the braided doctor made her way down the hall and towards her office. When she was back at her desk, Sally sank into her seat and stared at her telephone as she silently dreaded the call she knew she would have to eventually make.
* * * * * *
Duo smiled brightly as he made his way into the living room with a large, paper covered frame in his hands. Lowering the wood frame before the fireplace, he carefully removed the large mirror that he had set temporarily. Once the wall was barren once more, he tore away the paper covering the family portrait that he had hidden until he finally felt comfortable letting someone into his life.
It had been two weeks since the braided lighthouse keeper opened up and shared his past with Heero. Ever since then, the Japanese sailor was nothing but supportive and sweet in his efforts to be a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on when needed. It was more than Duo could have ever hoped for.
When the picture was revealed, the smile on the American's face grew all the more. In the image, the family of four stood before the cliffs with the lighthouse rising up behind them. Both in their mid-teens, Solo and Duo stood before their parents with wide grins. As he winked for the camera, the blonde young man rested his arm on his 'brother's' shoulder. With an arm around his wife's shoulder, Heero Yuy's free hand rested on the braided youth's shoulder in a fatherly gesture. A lovely smile on her own face, Noin had her own hand resting on Solo's arm.
Recalling that lovely afternoon and his happy times with the people smiling back at him, Duo sighed deeply in content to himself. With a small grunt of effort, he lifted the large frame over the fireplace to slide it carefully into the hooks. The front door opened unnoticed as he finished straightening out the image.
As he lowered his toolbox, Heero looked into the living room and smiled warmly at finally seeing his boyfriend reverently caring for the family portrait over the hearth. A sense of relief washed over him in knowing that this was a big step in their moving forward with their relationship, now that Duo was apparently comfortable to finally have the young sailor involved in every aspect of his life.
Quietly slipping up behind the lighthouse keeper, Heero wrapped his arms tightly around his thin waist. Nearly jumping with a sharp gasp, Duo turned his head to appraise his boyfriend. Smiling brightly, he greeted, "Hey."
Stealing a soft kiss, Heero grinned back, "Hey." As he looked up to the image over the fireplace, he took in the faces of the people that he came to learn so much about over the last couple weeks. Finally having a face to put with the names and stories, he felt a better sense of belonging somewhere. "Nice," he whispered as he rested his chin on his partner's shoulder.
His own smile growing as he looked up to the image, Duo said quietly, "This picture was taken after we returned from the courthouse for my name change. I didn't think I could ever be happier than I was that day." Turning his head towards the sailor, he grinned, "But you've managed to change that." Unable to trust his voice at that moment at the swell in his chest, Heero leaned in to kiss the braided young man soundly.
At the sound of the telephone ringing, the pair sighed deeply at having to separate. Chuckling deeply, Duo quickly kissed his partner's lips with a promised, "I'll be right back." As he turned to answer the call, Heero appraised the family picture once more.
Behind him, the sailor could hear the lighthouse keeper greet, "Hey, Sal. What's up? Why didn't you want to use the vidphone?" There was a long pause and with a strange feeling that something was wrong, Heero turned to watch his partner. The back of his shoulders slumping as he stood before the small table at the center of the room, Duo sighed deeply, "I see. Well, I'm not surprised that was his response. Let him die alone if that's what he wants."
Wincing at the harshness in his partner's tone, Heero stepped towards him. Gently resting a hand on the lighthouse keeper's shoulder, he rubbed it soothingly. At the gesture, Duo turned to meet the concerned cobalt eyes watching him. Biting his lip, he reassured quietly, "No, I appreciate the call to tell me. Thanks, Sal." At that, he lowered the receiver.
As he opened his arms, Heero whispered, "Come here." With tears in his eyes, Duo all but fell into his embrace as he held onto him tightly.
* * * * * *
Later that evening, after a long discussion over what Sally had informed Duo regarding his father's failing health, the braided young man was finally too emotionally drained to stay awake. As he looked back into the observation room from the gallery, Heero smiled in relief to himself at seeing his partner sleeping peacefully in their bed.
As he turned back to face the dark sea and sky, the young sailor closed his eyes and took in a deep breath of salty air. On the gentle breeze, he could hear the crashing of the waves far below as they smacked against the cliff side.
Focusing in the sound of the ocean, Heero allowed his mind to wander away from the world. Wwwooossshhh filled his ears until it was the only sound in his ears. With another deep breath of salt air, he silently meditated to the sound of the ocean below. Slowly, the sound of the waves seemed to take on a male voice, "Ooossshhh." "Ooosh."
His brow bunching in thought as he kept his eyes closed, Heero continued to meditate to the sound of the sea. "Oooohhhhh." The voice spoke over the waves. "Oohhhddsss." With each wave, the voice was joined by a young woman's and what they were saying became clearer. "Oooodiiinnn.... Odin. Odin," they called over the surf.
With a sharp gasp, Heero's eyes snapping open as wide as they could. Sweat was running down his face as he panted heavily. "Odin," he breathed to himself.
In the back of his mind, he knew without question that he finally learned his own name.
TBC...
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