It was another sleepless night for young Alan Tracy, with Jeff being away no-one had tucked him in for the night, his eldest brother had made sure he was in bed but hadn't come back since. Alan could roughly tell the time and knew that if one of his brothers found him awake, there'd be trouble. So, restless he lay wondering what to do, he remembered an event two nights ago when Gordon had been blabbing on about some story of a song, but he didn't understand it at all, what made it worse was that the subject had made John, his third eldest brother, cry. Also whenever the song came up his brothers would always refer to a 'she'. Suddenly he heard soft footsteps outside his room which meant someone else was up, lowering himself quietly out of bed he crossed the room and opened the door, he sighed in dismay when he saw who it was.
"Alan? What are you doing up this late? It's half one in the morning!" Scott exclaimed.
"I can't sleep Scotty, no-one tucked me in" Alan's wide eyes told Scott something was troubling him.
"What's worrying you Ali, do you want to talk about it?" Scott asked gently, Alan nodded in reply "alright, c'mon, we'll go and make some hot chocolate."
The idea of hot chocolate floated into the other three brothers' rooms and soon Scott and Alan were joined by John, Virgil and Gordon.
"I thought you guys were asleep" Scott raised an eyebrow.
"Well, we were, but then we heard the hot chocolate suggestion" Gordon shrugged.
"How did you hear that?" Scott asked but Gordon only tapped his nose childishly.
The boys headed into the kitchen and Scott began to make the chocolates helped by Virgil, when they were done they went to sit in the lounge.
"Now Ali, tell me what's wrong?" Scott asked making space between himself and Virgil for Alan to squeeze into.
"I can't sleep, keep thinking someone is missing."
"Who could be missing Ali? It's only been us and dad" Virgil smiled although sharing a worried look with Scott.
"Yeah, Virgil's right Alan, there can't be anyone missing."
"But daddy's always looking sad, especially when he looks at me" Alan looked down into his lap.
"His work stresses him out Ali, I wouldn't worry about it too much" John said taking a sip from his chocolate.
"What about mummy?" Alan looked up missing his brothers' paled expressions.
"What about her Alan?" Scott coughed slightly.
"Where is she?"
Gordon couldn't stand it any longer "she's left us Alan, and she's never coming back!"
With this Scott closed his eyes sorrowfully and John bit his lip.
"What do you mean Gordy?" Alan squeaked.
"She's dead! She died a few weeks after you were born."
"Gordon, shut up!" Virgil hissed.
"He deserves to know Virgil, you didn't keep it from me, so don't keep it from him!" Gordon cried angrily.
"Dead?" Alan's voice was barely audible and Scott wrapped his arm around him, Alan sniffed.
"We're so sorry Ali" Scott whispered into Alan's ear as small tears came to his eyes and worked their way down his face.
"We all remember memories of her, but she was gone before you even reached the age of one" John sighed getting up and going to stand by the window.
"Memories?" Alan asked tearfully, Scott looked up and nodded to Virgil who gazed across to the baby Grand Steinway by the wall. Virgil squeezed Alan's shoulder then stood up to make his way over to the piano, he pulled the stool out and sat down to open the lid revealing the keys, then with a small sigh, he began the song.
"Be brave,
Don't cry,
Keep on waiting
I'll be standing by"
John looked round at Virgil and smiled recognising the song to be the one their mother sung to them when they were upset or couldn't sleep, Virgil returned the gesture then continued.
"You are young,
Don't be afraid,
I am coming to find you"
Scott picked Alan up from the sofa and took him over to Virgil who lowered him onto his knee, he smiled before carrying on making sure that Alan was comfortable, the little boy dried his eyes and followed his brother's fingers on the keys.
"It won't be long,
Keep on wishing,
hear my voice from far, my deepest song."
Not before long the other two brothers were by Virgil's side crying silently.
"And song, our voices will be one
I'll be with you singing strong
Give me a smile,
and for a while,
they'll be no tears streaming down your face
For you know you'll always be mine"
Alan watched as Virgil's fingers came to a halt then he turned to see all his brothers wiping their eyes.
"Was that a memory?" he asked quietly.
"She used to sing this to us when we were younger" John smiled laying a hand on Virgil's shoulder.
"Though she played it better" Scott smirked earning a playful elbow in the stomach from Virgil.
"Again Virgie?" Alan pleaded gazing into Virgil's tearful eyes.
Virgil laughed softly as Alan settled himself against his chest letting his legs dangle, Scott went back to the sofa with Gordon who rested his head on Scott's arm, John went to get Alan's teddy but when he got back Alan had fallen asleep in Virgil's lap.
"Don't let him fall Virg" Scott said quietly.
"He's pretty secure I can assure you Scotty, it's going to be hard trying to unlatch him from my legs" Virgil smiled pausing the lullaby to run his hand through Alan's hair.
"I brought this in for the little guy" John grinned "but it looks like he doesn't need it now."
Virgil smiled as John placed the little teddy into Alan's hands then played the piece once more without words, by this point Gordon was asleep and John had taken the mugs back into the kitchen and returned to bed, Scott stayed to watch Virgil but soon found his eyelids drooping.
When Jeff arrived in the morning, he was not expecting the sight which met him in the lounge, Alan had spread himself out across Virgil's lap who was asleep on his hands at the piano, the teddy had fallen midway between the pedal and the floor. Gordon had moved onto Scott's chest and both were sound asleep, Jeff smiled and went to find John, he opened the door and spotted the older blonde lying awkwardly across the bed, with a gentle movement Jeff tucked him in and chuckled lightly, he would let them all wake in their own manner.
I can't believe how many stories are up now :) thanks for the follows and favourites x I had to make a few minor adjustments.
