Author's Note: Prequel to Return to Tracy Island, this story will show life before International Rescue and what lead Don to join NCIS over the family business. The first chapter starts of in March 1996 the year Alan Tracy was born. How did each brother react on the day?
Chapter 1: The Last Tracy
A 36 year old Jeff Tracy would be sat in at his desk in the study of the Tracy home in Kansas, a heavily pregnant Lucille would be asleep on the sofa, she wanted to sleep in her room but Jeff wanted to make sure he could see her while doing some work, meanwhile the boys were at school, Scott is in his final year of Elementary School with his 11th Birthday coming up soon, John is in 4th Grade, Virgil and Don are in 2nd Grade while Gordon is in 1st grade.
Jeff sat watching his wife sleep with their sixth child due to be born any day now they had finally agreed on their sixth son's name, Alan Shepard Tracy. Looking back at his computer screen Lucille would gasp waking up suddenly. "JEFF" Lucille cried bringing Jeff from behind his desk in a seconds as he rushes over to Lucille "My water just broke, he's coming" Lucille would say as Jeff grabs the prepacked bag for this situation. Helping Lucille up from the sofa he would put her coat around her before helping her into the car. After locking the front door Jeff would get into the driver's seat before heading to the hospital.
After driving for what seemed like eternity for Lucille, Jeff would park the car in the closest parking spot at the hospital, Lucille would be about to get out of the car as a contraction starts making her stay seated. "JEFF" She would yell as her husband looks around.
A Nurse would be stood outside, looking to his wife Jeff would look calm "I'm just going to inform that nurse with what is happening, I will be right back" Jeff would say as he rushes over to the nurse. "Excuse me nurse?" Jeff's calm face would be gone
"Yes, how may I help?" The nurse would say seeing that Jeff was on edge also recognising the man in front of her.
"My wife is in labour, she is sat in the car having another contraction" Jeff would state as the nurse puts out her cigarette.
"Go back to your wife sir, I will inform the doctors, its Jeff Tracy right?"
"Yes it is, my wife's name is Lucille" Jeff would say looking at the nurse
"Remain calm for your wife, I will be right back" The nurse would say as she heads inside of the hospital while Jeff returns to Lucille.
After a few minutes the nurse he had spoken too and a second nurse would be rushing out of the hospital with a wheelchair. Lucille would be using the Lamaze breathing she was taught almost 12 years ago when Scott was born. "Lucille we are going to help you over into the wheelchair and get you set up in a maternity room, the doctor is on standby until we call her when it is the right time" The second nurse would state with Lucille nodding.
After a few minutes Lucille would be helped out of the car into the wheelchair. Jeff would grab the bag again while locking the car. He would follow the nurses as they push Lucille into the hospital towards the room she will be in
"I just need to call my mother to pick up our sons from school" Jeff would say with Lucille nodding in agreement after getting changed into a hospital gown and lying on the bed.
Jeff would take out his phone dialling Ruth's number. She would answer immediately "Jeff, is everything ok?"
"Lucille is in labour, we are at the hospital now, the boys will be let out of school in an hour" Jeff would go to carry on but his mother cut him off
"Stay with Lucy, I will pick the boys up and get them home" Ruth would say in a calm voice.
"Thanks Ma, I would like them to have something to eat before you bring them down after the baby is born"
"I will sort it Jefferson, go back to Lucy, send her my wishes" Ruth would say with a smile on her face.
"Will do ma" Jeff would say as Ruth hangs up.
An hour later, Ruth would pull up outside the Elementary School the boys attend. She would get out of the car, closing her door and proceeds to lock the car before heading into the mass of parents and students leaving while trying to spot her grandsons.
She would spot Scott first; who had his back towards her as he was facing the school, John would shortly walk out next to him. She would smile as Don and Virgil run out of the school doors almost taking Scott and John down with them as they stop. Gordon would be the last out of the building, instantly spotting her.
"GRANDMA" The six year old would shout running at her, his older brothers turning in surprise to see her.
Ruth would crouch down to receive a hug from Gordon "Hey Gordy" She would say ruffling the boys ginger hair, after standing up she would hug the twins before accepting the hugs from John and Scott.
"Where's Dad?" John would ask furrowing his brow
"At the hospital with your mother"
"WHAT" The four older boys would shout at once as they head towards the car.
"Is everything ok?" Scott would ask as he makes sure his younger brothers, minus John had their seatbelts on.
"Everything is fine Scotty, I will explain once we get home" She would reply calmly as she starts the car, after letting the bus pass them, she would pull off heading towards the boys home. After a 10 minute drive, she would pull up on to the drive way, Scott would pull out his key from his bag before opening the front door, within seconds, Gordon would rush past him and into the living room. Virgil and Don would enter after Scott with John and Ruth entering the house last.
They would head into the living room where Gordon would be flopped on the sofa, John would sit next to the redhead with Scott leaning on the wall looking at their grandma. Virgil and Don would shortly sit next to John as Ruth walks towards them.
"Why are mummy and daddy in hospital?" Gordon would ask looking worried.
"There is nothing to worry about Gordy" Ruth would say as John pulls his brother towards him
"They don't have a check-up booked for today" Don would point out making Scott look at him alarmed. "If it was a check-up it would be on the calendar"
"Touché Don" Scott would say looking at his grandma "Does this mean?" Scott would ask looking eager to know.
Ruth would nod while smiling "Your mother went into labour an hour ago. Your daddy has asked me to make sure you have something to eat, washed and changed before we head down there to see them" Gordon would jump up excited.
"I'M GOING TO BE A BIG BROTHER. I'M NOT THE BABY ANYMORE" The six year old would start dancing around the room making Scott smile.
Don and Virgil would have jumped up from their seats along with John "I will be in the kitchen cooking you my famous Tracy Lasagne" Ruth would say making the boys look even more excited. Ruth would head into the kitchen while Scott looks to the twins.
"You two ok?" Scott would say while Gordon runs out to the backward, John would follow him to keep an eye on the young prankster.
"I'm fine Scotty" Virgil would state "Excited for our little brother to come"
"So am I" Scott would say before looking at Don, who is avoiding his eye contact "Don?"
"I'm fine Scott" the seven year old would reply before walking past his twin and his older brother towards the stairs.
Don would rush up the stairs to his and Virgil's room. Shutting the door, Don would sit on his bed. After a few seconds Scott would knock on the door. Looking up Don would sigh "Come in"
Scott would enter the room looking concerned; even at 11 Scott was worried about his brothers. "What's up Donnie?"
"Nothing" Don would grumble
"Doesn't sound like nothing."
"I'm worried about Mom and the baby; we haven't heard anything in over an hour"
"These things can take a few hours; remember how long it took for Gordon to be born?"
"I know, something just doesn't feel right" Don would state looking at his older brother
Sitting next to Don, he would pull him into a hug "You know full well they will be fine, we will be able to see them after we have eaten"
"I know Scott, I know"
"Then stop worrying bro" Scott would say before Virgil appears at the door.
"Grandma says dinner is ready" Virgil would say as Scott and Don stand up. "Everything ok?"
Don would smile before pulling Virgil into a hug "Scott straightened me out, just something I shouldn't have been worrying about"
"Good, now shall we go downstairs and eat before Gordy eats it all?" Virgil would say as they all grin. The three brothers would head downstairs and into a kitchen where Grandma was stood waiting
"Everything ok boys?"
"Everything is fine Grandma" Don would say smiling at Ruth and his brothers.
An hour later after eating their dinner, having a quick wash and change of clothes, the brothers would be piling into Grandma's car once again, this time to head to the hospital. After parking in a space and paying for a ticket, Grandma would lock the car. Scott would be holding Gordon's hand, while Don and Virgil stick close to John.
After stopping at reception the male behind the desk would look up "Good evening, how may I help you?"
"I am Ruth Tracy, these five boys here are my grandsons, there mother was brought in two hours ago in labour"
"I am sorry but I have not been informed of you coming so you will have to wait"
The nurse who helped Jeff earlier would be walking past, recognising the boys she would walk over. "I am so sorry about the receptionist, he has just started his shift as the last receptionist was aware that you would be arriving at some point" She would smile at Gordon who shies away behind Don and Virgil. "IF you would just like to follow me I can take you to your parents" She would lead the group towards the room Jeff and Lucille would be waiting in, Lucille would have given birth 20 minutes before their family arrived.
The Doctor who gave birth to Alan would just be leaving after doing the checks on mother and son; he would smile at the group as they make their way in.
"MUMMY, DADDY" Gordon would yell running into his father's arms.
"Hey Gordy, want to meet your baby brother Alan?" The six year old would nod looking excited, he would be placed next to Lucille who would be holding Alan.
"Hey baby" Lucille would say kissing Gordons forehead "Meet your baby brother" Lucille would lower Alan so Gordon could see.
"Hi Allie" Gordon would say looking happy "I'm your big brother Gordy" he would look at his older brothers smiling. "We won't let anything bad happen to you Allie"
Lucille would look at Don and Virgil "Come here you two" She would say, the twins would head over toward their mother as Gordon gets down to sit with Grandma
Don would smile at the baby blue eyes looking back at him from Alan in his mother's arms "Hey Allie, I'm your big brother Donnie" Don would say before pulling Virgil closer to him "And this is my twin and your big brother Virgie"
"You had to call me that didn't you" Virgil would say before smiling at his baby brother. Lucille would kiss the twins before looking down at Alan.
Scott and John would move to the other side of their mother looking at Alan. "Hey Allie" John would say "I'm your big brother Johnny" John would hug Lucille carefully before she kisses him on the forehead.
"Do you want to hold him Scott?" Lucille would ask making Scott look shocked
Scott would carefully take Alan from his mother before rocking him back and forth, Alan would be looking up at Scott "Hey Al, I'm your oldest brother Scott, and like your brothers, I will protect you no matter what" Alan would smile while looking at Scott.
Over the course of the next half hour, John would hold Alan before showing Gordon how to do so carefully, helping Gordon hold his younger brother. Alan would smile at them both making Gordon smile back. Virgil would take Alan, while being watched with Scott next to him; Alan would once again smile at his older brother before being passed to Don.
Don would look down at Alan smiling as the baby blue eyes look at him, Alan would smile back at him, and Scott would see Don relax more knowing his brothers worry was now gone with Alan staring at him.
"I won't let anything bad happen to you Alan, you make our family whole. Now we may be a little crazy at times but that's just who we are, we all love you very much little brother. I was worried something bad would happen to you or mom, but now that you are staring back at me that worry is gone" Don would say out loud without thinking, his mother would of looked shocked at first before smiling with tears in her eyes, Jeff would place his hand on Don's shoulder before kissing him on the top of his head while the rest of his brothers move closer to him.
"No matter what happens Al, we are all here for you" Don would say looking at his family around him "All of us" Afterwards, Don would pass Alan to his grandma.
"Jeff, take your boys home and get some rest, I will stay here with Lucy" Ruth would say
"Ma are you sure?"
"Of course I am, Gordy is already falling asleep against Scott, Don and Virgil are looking like they are about to drop with John supporting them up. You need sleep yourself to get the room ready for when Alan is allowed to come home"
Jeff would look at Lucy who would nod "Go home Jeff, if anything happens we will call you"
"Ok then, boys say goodnight to your mother, grandmother and brother" Jeff would say as his five older sons give Ruth and Lucille kisses before looking at Alan and saying goodbye. Jeff would hug his mother as the boys do this. "Thank you for helping us today"
"No worries, it's part of my job as Grandmother" Ruth would reply as Jeff hugs his wife before kissing Alan on the forehead. "I will see you in the morning Lucy." He would look at Alan before smiling fondly "Be good for your mother and grandmother mister" Jeff would say before ushering the five boys out and towards the car.