Vincent was so unused to travelling inside elevators. His previous experience, just months ago was done with purpose. Catherine had been in trouble. Now, there was no adrenaline rush to propel him forward, just the consciousness of a need to make his life real in the world above.

The tenth floor seemed like miles away. How many people would get off and on before he reached the top. Who would stare at him, be frightened, call the police, recoil in horror. Cilla stood behind him, finger in mouth, virtually hidden. This world was a scary place to her too. One or two people got off and on. Sometimes he merited a second glance, sometimes not. He had no idea that his partially hidden face made people more curious. The outfit, the attitude, the extreme height gave him the appearance of someone famous trying to avoid the media. Only one hardy soul commented. 'Hey buddy…is it cold out?' Since Vincent rarely felt cold, his first inclination was to say no. He managed an affirmative grunt and shake of the head. Neither actions were conclusive of any weather forecast. It seemed the questioner was being rhetorical anyway. Small talk was not Vincent's strength.

Mercifully, the elevator arrived at the tenth floor without further incident. Vincent breathed a sigh of relief. Catherine waited for him, anxiousness marring her beautiful face. The long walk to Dr. Spelnik's office was the moment of truth. To that point, Vincent knew he could turn back. Too late! The door to the office suite was opening. He was inside before a word could be said. The family nodded politely to the secretary. She too gave Vincent merely a cursory second glance. Generally New Yorkers seemed jaded by most things. Why was I ever worried? he thought.

'Good afternoon, Mrs. Wells.'

'Hello Jenny. I brought my whole family today.'

'I'll let Dr. Spelnik know. Have a seat.'

The chairs were absurdly small. Vincent continued to stand. He kept his eyes on Catherine. Mea, worn out by her ultrasound examination slept. Cilla spied a toy box. She looked at her mother for confirmation before making her way over to investigate the shapes and colours.

'Look Daddy' she said excitedly, calling him to look at a colourful ring toy, similar to one she had at home.

Vincent bent over to share a smile with her. At that moment, Mitchell Spelnik opened his door. He moved forward to shake hands with Catherine. Vincent and Cilla were behind him.

'Nice to see you Catherine. Come on in.'

'Ah… Mitchell, this is my friend and homemaker Sue. Over there at the toy box is my other daughter Cilla and my husband…. Vincent.'

Mitchell spun around as if he had been shot. His eyebrows were raised. Astonishment was clearly etched on his face. When Vincent straightened up the doctor took a step back and raised his arm as if in protection.

The large hand, covered with soft leather gloves was extended. It remained suspended for sometime before Mitchell recovered enough to accept it.

'Mr. Wells. This is a ..a…surprise.' He released himself but continued to stare. The little tableau seemed frozen in time.

'Daddy…pick up please.'

Cilla's plaintive voice broke the spell. Vincent bent over to raise his daughter up to eye level. She wrapped her arms around his neck, staring back at the strange man who seemed unable to move.

'You are Jacob's father?'

'Yes.'

'He has your eyes. Very intense young man.'

The words didn't seem like a compliment although the delivery was without malice. Vincent chose to ignore any implication other than a statement.

'Come in. Please.'

This was not the Mitchell that Catherine knew. He was quiet, seemed uncertain. The normal gregariousness was gone. If he was afraid or fearful that Vincent would cause trouble, he would have to say something. Catherine refused to make any apology or explanation for her husband's presence. He had a right to be there. Up until they were seated in the consulting room, only Vincent's eyes were visible above the large collar of his leather coat. He sat down with Cilla on his lap. She opened his collar to kiss his cheek.

'Daddy?'

'We are here for Mebaby. Sit still. The Doctor wants to talk to Mumum.'

Mitchell had gone to sit behind his desk. The glimpse of Vincent's complete features made him stand up and return to the front of his desk. He frowned. His behaviour continued to be peculiar, to say the least. Catherine was about to remind him that she was there to get results for Mea but it was clear Mitchell had other things on his mind. He seemed bent on confronting Vincent. Catherine felt her protective instincts rise and spread outward. She was about to get to her feet when Mitchell spoke at last.

'Do you know about yourself Vincent?'

'Thanks to my son, I do.'

'Tell me.'

Mitchell pulled his chair from behind the desk and sat in front of Vincent. He made no other comment. It was obvious that he was prepared to listen.

'I won't ask why you want to know. I don't sense any hostility from you. I am happy to share my story or at least what I know of it.' Vincent pulled down his collar seeing no need to protect the image which kept him hidden for most of his life. He went on to explain his trip out west, the incredible sensation of familiarity when they arrived in Arizona, the information from Jacob about his incredible birth and early life. Nothing was said about the tunnel community. Mitchell nodded his head from time to time. He sat patiently and quietly, not interrupting until Vincent was finished.

'So you knew both your parents?'

'My mother only in death, but my biological father lived on the periphery of my life.'

'Neither of them was like you?'

'No.'

'And who raised you?

'A kindly man who gave me everything in life that was important.'

'And Jacob…did he inherit any of your characteristics?'

'He has much deeper perceptions of unseen energy than I, although he is not as physically strong. What he inherited from his mother was skill and intelligence. It is heightened in him. He graduated with honours from Harvard Law School at age 22.' Clearly Vincent was proud of his son and had a profound understanding of his own gifts. Mitchell knew he had raised Jacob virtually alone.

The doctor looked from Vincent to Catherine. They were puzzled by his behaviour. His interest in Vincent was not what they expected.

'Mitchell, I don't know what…..'

'Catherine, I owe you an apology and Vincent too. I am going to tell you a story. We will talk about Mea shortly but since she is sleeping comfortably, we can wait. I know I have been pushy and inappropriate, questioning Vincent's participation in this crisis with Mea, but I ….'

Mitchell got up and spoke to his secretary. It was past the time for her to leave. He gave her permission, asking her to lock the door behind her. In ten years, her boss had never done anything so considerate. Maybe his motives tonight were all wrong. She didn't question it.

Mitchell returned his chair behind the desk. He sat quiet for a moment head in hands before beginning.

'When I was four and a half, my mother gave birth to a little child, a girl. She was born with an extreme genetic deformity. She was not expected to live beyond days, weeks at most. My mother was saddened beyond words, first by this tragedy in our family, then by the callous lack of concern and absent presence of my father. She was heart broken because she also had to endure his comments about blame. He forced her to shoulder full responsibility for my sisters birth defects. He then ordered my sister confined to a long term care facility. When she didn't die within those first few weeks, my father forbid my mother not to see or visit her.

Despite the distance, once a week my mother, for the first time in her life, defied my father and made the trip across town to spend time with Esther. The only time my sister ever smiled was the day my mother took me to see her. From then on, it was worth the aftermath of domestic fighting to take me with her, just to elicit a smile from Esther.

On a trip there, ten years later, my mother was killed in a car accident. I was never able to see my sister again. She died a few months later. I heard about it by mistake. I have no idea what happened or why but Esther must have been so lonely. I certainly was lonely.

I never had children Vincent. I feared having a child like my sister, not because Esther was so terrible but because I wondered if I could ever find a wife like my mother, but more to the point, I wondered if I would become a father like my own. I sensed that my years with him had a greater impact on me. Everything my mother and I did together was done in fear. I did not want to feel that fear anymore after her death so I subsumed my personality and my pain into his. He loved me better when I was his clone.

I am a Pediatrician because of Esther. I have seen other children like her and I now understand the genetic defect which impacted her development but until Catherine came in here alone, her son at her side, a daughter ill and on the verge of death, I never confronted my own culpability in abandoning my sister and adopting my father's stance towards children. If they are less than perfect, fix them. It is not a humane motive for being a good doctor or surgeon.

Catherine, the day you challenged me to accept that you would feed Mea as you wished, I began a long journey home to myself. '

Vincent rose from his chair and shook Mitchell's hand again, this time without the glove. Any further words were superfluous. Catherine and Sue had tears.

All business-like now, Mitchell pulled Mea's file towards him and faced the family.

'I am sure you are aware that Mea has reached a plateau. She is not gaining but not losing either. We can't give her more food but her needs have increased. It is not imperative at this time to operate but it is time to move closer to being ready. I don't want to make this operation an emergency. It reduces effectiveness. There is narrowing in the tube but minimal flow is maintained. As long as this happens we are fine. The rest of the liver is steady but enlarging. I understand from Serge that there are a couple of compatible donors. It may be time to carefully prepare these donors for the risks and choose the one most compatible. A transplant doesn't need to be done. I think we can do this with a donor liver portion. There is a great team ready.' He paused to let his words sink in. 'I have been unintentionally long winded tonight and kept you late but I do hope you will forgive me.'

'Mitchell, moving from a point of dis-ease to one of ease is a journey of many days and many roadblocks. We all take those paths every day. Tonight I stepped forward on my journey. You have made this step a better one for me. I wish you the same on your path. I have no questions with regards to Mea. We will take home your concerns and discuss it as a family.'

It was a long and eventful afternoon. Catherine who had said little was tired. The emotional roller coaster of Vincent's decision, Mitchell's revelations, and the on going concern with Mea took its toll. She had no further questions. Carl, who was agitated about the long wait with no word of what was happening stood outside Mitchell's door when the family finally emerged. They were all grateful.