Confessions of A Father

JP with Jaxx and Cindy

May 13, 1889
Tunnels under Paris
1:30 AM

"Are you certain he will not wake up?" The sound of a British male voice broke through the silence of the room.

“No, Doctor Lemaire but if you are not quiet, you will wake the other two.” The other man sounded French.

“Well, let’s get some others to help move him. I need to start on the experiments.” Lemaire said.

The door to the room opened and the French man could be heard saying, “Come we need to move him.”

More people entered the room, and the sound awoke Mr. Lavigne. “What are you doing?”

“Shut up. None of your business.” Lemaire responded. As he pointed toward Doctor Jackal, “Be careful, we do not want to unleash it.”

Lily wanted to attack the men but hesitated as she saw the look of fear in her father's face. It was obvious these men lacked a moral compass as well as respect for life. Her only hope was the good doctor waking up and turning the tables on them. She glared at the men as they began picking up Dr. Jackal to take him away.

Two of the men carried out Dr. Jackal, followed closely by Lemaire and the French man. The door was closed and locked behind them. Lily's father looked over at his daughter. "What do they want with your doctor friend? Clearly, he is not just an innocent bystander."

Lily paused as she considered what to say in response to her father's question. She was not sure how much the bad guys knew and didn't want to give any more information away so she kept her answer simple. She looked at her father and replied, "They are after his scientific research. If they manage to learn it and use it............well lets just say we won't have a home to return to even if we manage to escape." Lily was scared and knew things were very bad for her and her father right now. Sadly she still didn't trust him since they were still astranged after all this time.

Her father nodded, not really sure if he shoud pry more but opted not to. With no way to see the outside world, there was no way to tell what time it was. After several moments Lily's father said. "Perhaps we should talk. I feel that there are things you should know, in case I don't survive this."

Lily looked at her father as she tilted her head to the side with some confusion. It had been many years since they had any form of a heart to heart conversation. Normally he told her his expectations and left after she nodded yes since she left for middle school. She replied, "I must admit I am curious what you want to share despite ignoring me for the last seven years. Since we are sharing now. I want you to know it hurt me when you sent me away and barely talked to me during that time. So please do share since these could be our last moments together." Lily looked at her father with expectation as she crossed her leg and rested her hands on her knees.

"I regret that. I was trying to keep you safe. Clearly I went about it the wrong way." Her father responded. "All I can say is I have had time to reflect on my mistakes." He paused. "What I need to discuss first is actually about the businesses. I cannot say I was always scrupled individual, I would rather have that not fall on you. I have asked that my businesses be liquidated upon my demise." There was obviously more coming, an unspoken hesitation to say what needed to be said.

Lily listened to her father speak and seemed curious by his response. He looked troubled by his expression and she found it odd he would admit he was doing some questionable businesses practices. Sadly she already heard about that from word of mouth from others who liked to gossip at the mansion as well as her school and the social circles she was forced to attend. She played nice despite knowing she had no friends in that circle of backstabbers. It was a hard lesson for her learn, but she did what she had to not stand out. She replied, "I see. truth be told I have already heard the rumors of your doing questionable business practices. The gossip mongers made it clear that I could over hear them."

"That does not surprise me." Wayne Lavigne commented. "I am sorry for that though. Well, once the businesses are liquidated the money or what's left of it should go to you but there are a number of debts which need to be paid first."

Lily sighed as she pondered what her father just said. It was not surprising but troubling to hear his confession when they were so close to deaths door. She looked at her father and spoke up, “Assuming we survive this. How am I supposed even find your work records?”

"My lawyers know where they are." Wayne paused. "However, there is more I need to tell you. There are people who will likely come after the fortune. People who might or might not have a legitimate claim to it." He paused to wait on her reaction.

Lily looked at her father as he mentioned the dangers of his fortune and pause. She then replied, "I see so that is a big complication. Anything else?"

"Yes," Wayne paused. "This might be hard to hear but I have other children."

Lily looked at her father and raised an eyebrow at him. She stared in silence for a bit before she could tell he was serious and then spoke up. Lily replied, "I see. (pause) So assuming we survive this situation, we will have a lot to discuss at the next family reunion." Lily was being very sarcastic and patronizing at the same time as she cocked her head to the side looking at her father with disappointment. She then spoke up, "So assuming we were not going to die anytime soon when did you plan on sharing this tid bit of knowledge?"

"I do not have an answer for that," Wayne replied. "I suppose if this situation had not occurred I might have gone to my grave with that knowledge." The man paused. "There are two children I know of, both are young men. Both have a legitimate claim to part of my fortune."

Lily sighed as she heard her father speak of her half brothers. She took a deep breath and then replied, "And here I thought I had more sisters by the way you were bringing this up. So how do we split your wealth if more siblings pop up?" Lily had an annoyed expression on her face since she was denyed this knowledge of siblings and his secret life.

"I have sent them money on a regular basis. Made sure they were taken care of financially." Wayne wasn't trying to make himself look better, he was just stating facts. "So, maybe an even split between the three of you."

Lily looked at her father and gave a reluctant nod. Then she asked, “And what pray tell will we do when more siblings pop up?” Lily seemed miffed by this conversation.

"I would suggest they would have to prove their claim." Wayne replied. "If they can settle with them on an amount." He wasn't discounting the idea their might be more.

Lily rubbed her temples as she was processing the information and the possibility of having random siblings around the world since he father did a lot of traveling. She replied, "I can't believe we are spending our last moments together confessing your bad choices. So you are involved in shady investments and had three kids you know of in secret. Is there anything else I should know about?" Lily seemed annoyed as she put her hands on her waist.

"No, just that I am sorry I didn't lead a better life." Wayne voice was rich with regret. "You know you remind a bit of your mother."

Lily was sad by the comment of her mother. She sighed and wiped a tear that was beginning to form by the thought. She replied, "I wouldn't know since she died giving birth to me. I do wish I got to know her." Lily wiped another tear with her sleeve and then asked, "So level with me father.........why did you dismiss Nanny Fran? It hurt me when you sent her away since she and I were very close." Lily's eyes were red and puffy as she was holding back her tears.

"No nanny stays with their charge forever." Lily's father responded. "You didn't need her any longer. You were going off to school. She needed to move on to other children." It was true, it was the way nannies worked. They are there for a while then leave.

Lily glared at her father and replied, "You didn't even let me say goodbye to her or even write to her. Instead of having closure you ripped her away from me. You hurt me father in so many ways. Was that your intention or was it to much trouble to act like my father?" Lily was scowling at her father now.

"I didn't mean to hurt you. I never thought.... I suppose I never thought about a lot of things." Wayne thought for a moment about how much to say. "When I was a child, it was what was. My nanny just left. I was not allowed to contact her. I was told clean breaks were best. Taught to not get close to people. My father, was an extremely strict man. I suppose learned somethings from him, unfortunately. I did not realize how much my actions hurt you though I should have."

Lily sighed as she replied, "Why am I not surprised by that? To be honest I often questioned it you even cared at all for me. Your words and actions did not always match. To be honest after I graduated I planned on a long vacation while avoiding you and spending all your money. Sadly that all changed when Nigel tried to kidnap us. I feel foolish for ever trusting that cur."

Her father nodded. "I too trusted him and I should have seen some sign of his true self. He worked for me for years and I had no idea about his true nature "

Lily nodded and replied, "Well since he wanted us alive I think its fair to say he is probably after your money. Since that Dr. Lemaire was racking up a rather large bill from his insane experiments, I bet they need someone to fund that operation somehow. I would not be surprised if we were not the only ones being targeted like that."

"I thought Nigel would contact you for the money. So, if he did not do that...." Wayne's voice trailed off. "Who do you suppose he is contacting for it?"

Lily looked at her father and shrugged. She then replied, "Perhaps he was waiting till he had both of us. He will either have you sigh it to him or have us killed and have your lawyers split it with him. Who knows at this point." Lily was tired and annoyed at this point. She was worried the cult members were going to awaken Big Red and that would be her que to escape.

"Perhaps." Her father agreed. "They, Nigel and some of the others have asked about Lady Elizabeth Ellington. Not that I have much information to give them on her." Wayne looked perplexed.

Lily waved him off as she replied, "She was kind enough to give me shelter after your kidnapping. I am sure they wanted to know if she was a threat to them while trying to kidnap me. Obviously it was not an issue for them." Lily didn't want her father to get to curious and looking into the Order if he survived this ordeal.

"That was kind of her." The Ellington's had a reputation of being good people so Wayne didn't seem overly surprised, but then he paused as if piecing something together. "You said your Doctor friend had also helped you. Was he also staying with Lady Elizabeth?"

Lily shook her head no as she knew better than to divulge more details. She decided to keep it simple as she replied, "He is merely under her employment for now. His credentials as a researcher are in high demand." Lily was not lying and still keeping the story believable at the same time.

Wayne nodded. He wasn't sure what else to say but had a feeling there was more going on with his daughter than she was saying. He stood up and poured some water into a mug. "Would you like some water?" He asked.

Lily raised her hands up and replied, "Sure. I'll fetch it myself." She stood up and served herself some food and water to snack on since she was going to need her strength when Big Red broke free. She was surprised they had this much time since she saw first hand what he could do.

Wayne was offering to pour it for her, but didn't say anything when she poured it herself. He sat back down without saying anything else.

Lily grunted as she was eating without manners at this point. She was not having a good day and wanted to lash out, but this was not the time or place for that. She looked at her father and muttered, "Pardon my bloody manners, but this is total bollocks. I finally get a chance to have a heart to heart with my dear estranged father and now we are prisoners with a creepy cult and to make it worse I now have siblings who are no different that strangers ready to take your money without lifting a finger to help us in this insane place. To make it worse we may never survive this ordeal and they will get all that money by mere chance! I am ever so miffed!" Lily then shoved a sandwich in her mouth and chewed it in anger.