Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 300 - Let's relax.
Raptor's POV, Thirty minutes later.
I was done getting dressed and thanks to Zeta I now had a day off that I wasn't prepared to have. But also thanks to her I was in an okay mood to go about the day. I was still shaken up inside from everything, but at the least I wasn't sulking anymore. It was now just a matter of what to do. I wanted to do one thing but I know Zeta wouldn't let me go about it. I just wanted to know for sure that Ghost wasn't mine. I believe Marcus, but….? I don't know. I just wanted to be sure. I wanted to see physical proof if it even existed and ironically that meant going back to the hospital we were outside of last night.
As I came downstairs I found both wolves waiting for me on the couch. Pepper was the first one to speak asking me in a soft voice.
"Hey. How are you?"
For some reason my eyes went to my right hand. I gave my wedding ring a faint look before replying.
"I'm better."
With her sister up and ready to go, I looked to her eyes as she asked me with a smile.
"You figure out what you want to do now that you're off?"
I knew just from my own voice that my reaction to that question had shown both of them that I was worried about answering that straight up. Zeta sensed that almost immediately as I took a moment to look away and towards the TV which was currently off.
"Raptor?" Zeta muttered with concern applied to her tone.
Nodding my head to myself, I asked.
"Can I talk to you for a second? In the kitchen?"
Zeta gave her sister this worried look as I slowly made my way over and into the kitchen. Pepper remained on the couch as Zeta followed behind shortly after. With the wolf soon at my hip, she asked carefully.
"What's up?"
Leaning back on the table, I looked her softly in the eyes and whispered.
"I don't know how to say this after last night."
"Well don't make it hard. Just say it. I'm listening."
Our staredown became a moment where I trusted her. So I just came out and said it with a small sigh following the end.
"I need to go back to the hospital. I need to make sure that it's true. I'm sorry."
The wolf surprisingly kept a straight face, but her response came back as a statement.
"You mean you "want" to go see if it's true. You don't "need" anything. You don't "need" to hurt yourself by doing something like that."
"No Zeta. I "need" this."
She wasn't expecting me to be that direct. Almost dumbfounded, she stopped herself from saying what it was she was thinking about saying. Instead she took a moment to breathe and think. As she did, she turned around and began to pace around till she was met with my fridge. Leaning up against it, she asked me seriously.
"Why?"
I could see Pepper from where I was standing and I saw that she was indeed staring at me from the couch. Just listening as I replied to her sister after a few silent seconds.
"Because I just have too. I need to be absolutely sure about what I saw."
"And what happens after Raptor? What happens when you go there and see the truth? What then?"
Taking a risk and stepping up to the girl, I replied while leaning in to connect my forehead to hers.
"Nothing."
Looking me right in my eyes, she questioned.
"Really?"
Nodding I replied back.
"I promise. I'm not going to put you through that again. Never again."
I wasn't lying to her. I knew the pain I had her go through last night. I won't hurt her anymore. I just need her to understand. Reaching out to grab onto my hands, the young woman pulled them together in front of her chest to whisper sadly.
"Okay…...let me just grab my things."
I couldn't help but feel bad. Giving me a small smile she released my hands and moved out from the fridge to make her way out into the living room. I stopped right in between the two rooms to watch as she grabbed her vest and cloak off the couch. As she got them on, Pepper asked carefully because she was unsure of what was said or what was going on.
"Do you want me to come with you guys?"
Almost in sync Zeta and I shot out two different answers.
"Yes. No."
I didn't want to involve Pepper if I didn't have too, but Zeta must have felt differently as our answers had caught each of us off guard. With her eyes locking onto me for a few moments, Zeta slowly looked back at her sister to command her.
"Yes. You're coming. Get your things."
Her eyes came right back to me to give me this glare that told me exactly what she wanted from me at that moment. She just wanted me to shut my mouth and let the decision be hers. I was in no mood to argue. At the very least even if things went poorly I could at least say I tried to avoid having her tag along. Once Zeta had strapped on her cloak, she slowly made her way to the stairs to inform me.
"I'll get yours. Just wait for me here."
I knew what she was doing. She didn't trust me up there with my weapons. It was no shocker when she came back downstairs with only my vest. Handing it to me, she wondered.
"Are you gonna drive?"
"Yeah." I replied as she nodded and looked over to Pep to ask.
"You ready?"
"Yeah I'm good."
Grabbing my hand, Zeta pulled me forward till I was the one leading the way outside. The second we emerged from my house and out into the sun, I stopped on my doorstep to get my vest on. Zeta stood at my side as her sister went to the car. As I got my vest strapped, I noticed Jen next door with her kids both playing with a soccer ball on their lawn. Jen saw me almost instantly, but Zeta also saw her. Lifting up her arm to wave at us, Jen shouted.
"Good morning Raptor!"
It was hard to smile, but I made it happen when I saw her boys both turn around to see me. Zeta didn't have her mask on or her hood over her head; so at the very least we didn't look too intimidating. In fact Zeta herself even waved back to reply.
"Good morning!"
That's when I felt her hand push me gently forward so I could get a move on.
"Hey Mr. Voltz! Where you going!?" Jenny's son Gavin asked me as he came jogging across the lawn.
"Gavin!" Jen shouted as the little kid came running right up to Zeta and I to shout in excitement.
"Wow you look like you're going out to fight the bad guys Mr. Voltz! Where's your gun!?"
By this point Jen had reached us to grab her boy by the arm. Embarrassed, Jen told him bluntly.
"Gavin you don't just ask questions like that. Raptor's in the military. It's his job to wear a uniform. I'm so sorry Raptor."
"It's fine." I chuckled as I glanced over to catch the moment her and Zeta locked eyes. Looking my girlfriend over carefully, Jen went on to state.
"I'm sorry. Where are my manners? My name is Jenny. Or Jen for short."
"Zeta." The wolf replied as she quickly followed up by telling her.
"Your son is so cute. How old are you?"
With the question directed to Gavin, we all looked down to him as she replied happily.
"Thirteen."
Jen was just happy the conversation was controlled and went on to tell Zeta.
"They've known Raptor for most of their lives. We've been neighbors for years. He's been a father figure to them for as long as I can remember."
Zeta was ready to keep this going, but I decided to step in and tell Jen; whose attention quickly came back once she heard my voice.
"I'm sorry Jen, but we're kinda in a rush. Do you mind continuing this another time? We'll be back really soon so we can get together then if you're not busy."
With wide eyes she replied.
"I'm never busy Raptor, but I understand. Again I'm sorry for holding you up like this. We'll see you later. Come on Gavin."
"Do you want to hang out after your done whatever your doing Mr. Voltz?" Gavin asked me as I smiled and replied.
"Maybe, but that depends on you and your brother. If you're nice to your mom and do what she tells you, then I'm sure I can come over and see you. But you have to be good. Do you understand?"
Quickly nodding his head he replied.
"Yes sir!"
Zeta gently took my hand and began to walk me away as Jen went on to shout.
"Be safe!"
"You too!" Zeta added as we soon had reached the car where Pepper was already waiting.
Once we were piled in; did I pull us out of the driveway and onto the road. The trip to the hospital would be a short one thanks to the car. However when we reached it Pepper had to ask from the backseat.
"What are we doing here?"
Shutting off the engine I readied myself mentally and listened slightly as Zeta replied.
"Not now."
Pepper quickly understood just how serious this was for me when she looked back to find my head on the steering wheel. I was taking deep breaths and once I was ready I mumbled.
"Okay. Let's do this."
The moment I opened my door, I was on a direct path for the hospital entrance. The girls had to stick right to my tail to keep up. Once I took my first step inside the building, I put my focus into finding the nearest doctor I could see. However all I was met with was a half full waiting room and a few nurses manning the reception desk. And like clockwork they noticed me almost immediately. Them and everyone in the room with us. Zeta and Pepper were watchful as I approached the desk to say softly.
"Good morning. My name is Raptor Voltz. I was wondering if I could speak to an administrator?"
The girls manning the desk were all these much smaller looking badgers and rabbits. Everyone of them seemed starstruck as my voice had hit them. They exchanged looks between one another for a few moments before one of them decided to respond to my request with a careful tone of voice.
"We're a little busy sir. Can I ask what this visit is about?"
Nodding once I replied.
"I'm sorry I know it's not custom to just drop in like this, but this is a personal matter between me and my ex wife. I just need someone who can hopefully help answer a few questions I have regarding the situation. I won't be long."
Slowly picking up a phone that was on the desk next to her, I watched quietly as she said over the loudspeaker.
"Doctor Roberts to the front desk please. Doctor Roberts to the front desk. Thank you."
As she put down the phone I smiled and muttered.
"Thank you."
"Your welcome. He should be here in a minute or two. Just hang up here till he arrives."
I was following my instructions to the letter. Zeta and Pepper kept quiet and after a few moments I felt Zeta's touch wrap around my left hand. My eyes glanced back at her as she smiled and whispered.
"It's gonna be okay."
"I know." I replied as my attention had quickly shifted back to the girls at the desk. Standing up and pointing over my shoulder towards the main entrance leading into operations rooms, the badger stated to me.
"That's Doctor Roberts sir."
My eyes turned back around to rest on a fairly young raccoon. His fur resembled almost everyone of their species. Wearing the standard garb I expected a doctor of his caliber to be wearing and currently also dawning gloves and a facemask. The second he saw me I saw his whole body change in stance. He was caught off guard and somewhat concerned. Approaching me while taking off his mask, he said to us with a faithful tone to his step.
"I was about to come up here and tell you girls that this better have been important. I'm in the middle of something as you can all see, but I can make an exception for Raptor Voltz. Nice to meet you sir. Doctor Henry Roberts."
Offering me his hand, I replied back.
"Nice to meet you, doctor. I apologize for interrupting. I wasn't expecting it to be this busy."
Chuckling as we shook hands he quickly fired back at me.
"It's okay. Thankfully I'm not the only trained doctor working in this hospital. Everything is covered. So what's this about?"
I didn't want to really say it in front of everyone and with Zeta letting go of my hand I approached the raccoon to whisper into his side.
"It's a personal matter. I was hoping we could talk somewhere private."
Nodding his head he replied.
"Of course. If you'd like to follow me, we can talk back inside. But if you would be so kind, I'd appreciate it if you're two friends here stayed back. We're crowded enough. Nothing personal ladies."
"It's not a problem. Thank you again Doctor." I assured him.
The raccoon smiled and turned back around to begin walking the way he once came. Looking back at Zeta and her sister I mumbled.
"I'll be back as soon as I can. Just hang out."
The girls agreed and now solo; I followed Roberts who had stopped me the moment we entered through the doors leading into the main hallway of the hospital. With a low voice he asked again.
"So what seems to be the problem?"
Clearly I was uncomfortable bringing it up to begin with, but I put myself in this spot so I knew I had to commit. Doing my best to seem relaxed, I replied.
"Umm….okay so this hospital is the same hospital I had my first daughter and my first son delivered at. My daughter Abbey was born on July 31st of 1998. My son Ghost was born on June 2nd of 2007."
Roberts was listening close as I went on to say.
"Now at the time of my son's delivery, I was in the middle of a lot of things revolving around the rebellion and the treaty Shadow Robotnik put together. I wasn't there for a lot of the initial checkups and I know I wasn't there for when the doctor confirmed my ex wife was indeed pregnant."
"Okay?" Roberts replied as I felt my voice begin to cripple.
"Both of my kids are dead. I lost them to this war and to myself. But I loved them with all my heart. I did my best as their father to raise them right, but I couldn't have been there for everything. My ex wife Alicia told me, without a shadow of a doubt, that my son Ghost was mine. I never questioned that. I was just happy to have a son. Happy to have something good again enter my life. A chance to start over."
Roberts was indeed shocked now that he heard my kids were gone. I saw his demeanor change as I began to tear up.
"But now I have some concerns and the main reason for me coming here today was to ask if I can see if there are any records of my wife's visits here. Any documentation at all. I just need to be sure."
The raccoon was speechless as I waited for a response to come through. After a few moments he replied honestly.
"We probably have her records buried around here somewhere, but I'm afraid I can't just give them out. Even to you. It's illegal."
"I know but I'm begging you." I told him bluntly as he quickly reinforced his last answer by telling me back.
"I can't. I'm sorry but if someone found out that I handed over confidential information I will lose my license to practice and with it; any hope of staying in the medical field. I'm so very sorry, but….?"
"Please!" I begged him as he was stuck in a very bad spot right now. However he was hesitating to say anything more which allowed me more than enough time to ask him.
"What would it take?"
"What?" He questioned as I quietly asked him again.
"What would it take? Just name a price. You have my word that this will stay between us. I'm begging you. What would it take?"
I saw the look I was now being given. Roberts wasn't opposed to the idea. If anything he was just uncomfortable with it. His eyes looked back to see if anyone was within shouting distance, and once he realized it was clear he looked back at me to reply.
"Ten thousand. I can do it for that."
"Deal." I said back happily as he went on to ask me.
"How soon can you get it to me?"
"You do this for me now and I swear to god I'll have the money for you within the hour. Do you want cash or…?"
"Wire transfer. I'll write down my account number for you before you leave."
"Thank you." I replied as he nodded and urged me.
"Just follow me."
Feeling a sense of relief, I began to follow the raccoon down the hall. We went up three floors and down more hallways then I could count before reaching a storage room of sorts. The whole place was littered with cardboard boxes stacked on shelves that were well over ten feet high. Looking at me as I shut the door behind us, he asked.
"Did she have your last name when she had the procedure done?"
Nodding I replied.
"Yes sir. Alicia Voltz."
"Okay. Give me a minute to find out where the V's are in this hot mess."
I stood where I was at by the door as he began his search. After about five minutes he found the V's and searched for my last name. When he finally found it he announced.
"Found it."
My heart was racing as he came over with a green folder that had my last name on the very front of it in black sharpie. Handing it over he asked me.
"Are you planning to read it here or take it with you?"
"Now." I replied as he nodded and watched as I opened it.
Inside were forms I barely remember signing and charts and bloodwork I never saw of Alicia and her old condition. It took me maybe a minute or so to find what I was after. Roberts was watching me closely and it was clear to him when I discovered the secret she had hidden from me. With my hands starting to shake, I pulled out the documents and skimmed over everything till I found the DNA results. Alicia was most definitely his mother, but when my eyes saw who the father was I quickly shut the folder and began to break down. Roberts widened his eyes as my shaking drove me backwards into the wall where I proceeded to sit down. With the folder resting on my lap, I did all I could to hold back more tears. Roberts came up to me to ask.
"Can I see?"
Nodding my head the doctor took the folder out from my lap and began to look over the papers for himself. When he saw that my name wasn't present he widened his eyes again and mumbled in shock.
"Oh my god."
mT Shadow.