Thank you so much to everyone who responded to the first chapter - it's very much appreciated. Whirlgirl, I really do value your comments - thank you.
Chapter Two
"Virgil... It's time to get up. Come on... Oh, for heaven's sake, Virgil!"
Virgil had, unusually, been awake for some time, but he still feigned sleep, burrowing further under the covers in an attempt to get away from the hand that roughly shook his shoulder. His grandmother and youngest brother had already tried to get him out of bed and been forced to admit defeat, but he knew his father would be a tougher opponent. The one he really wanted was Scott, of course, but the sound of his brother shouting something to Gordon suggested that he was occupied elsewhere.
"Virgil, I know you're hoping that if you ignore today it will never happen, but you're out of luck. Scott's going soon and if you want these last few hours with him you need to get up now. Breakfast's in ten minutes and we're leaving in an hour. If you're not ready, I'm leaving you behind."
Jeff finally managed to get the covers off his son, only for Virgil to moan pathetically.
"I don't feel so good, Dad. Can't we go tomorrow?"
Resisting the temptation to scream, Jeff sat down on the side of the bed.
"Good effort, son, but Gordon and Alan have already tried that one this morning. It didn't work for them and it's not going to work for you. Nothing short of an outbreak of the plague is going to keep Scott in this house." He reached out to feel his son's forehead. "Perfectly normal. Still, I wouldn't want you being sick on the way. If you really don't feel up to the trip I guess you should stay home."
He'd known Virgil would play up this morning, which was why he'd volunteered to get him up when Scott had offered to do it. His eldest son was visibly wavering between excitement and anxiety and the last thing he needed was Virgil making him feel guilty about leaving. Even so, Jeff couldn't help feeling bad that he'd been so abrupt as he saw the miserable look on Virgil's face, but then it had already been a stressful morning and he'd only been up an hour. The younger boys were being particularly irritating and his mother had burst into tears as she'd poured his coffee. Then there was the current drama being played out as Scott hunted for one of his bags which had suddenly disappeared from its place beside the front door.
As if that wasn't enough, he had to deal with his own feelings. As proud as he was of his son, this wasn't an easy time for him. He'd never felt as though his family was complete since the day he'd lost Lucy and now there would be an even bigger gap in his life. He'd have to do this four more times, he thought, and then he would be completely alone...
"Dad? Are you okay?"
Jeff was forced out of his reverie to see Virgil staring at him, misery replaced by concern, not to mention confusion. He forced a smile. "I'm okay, son. This isn't easy for me, either."
Virgil didn't quite know what to say to that. It was rare for his father to admit to any feelings of insecurity or uncertainty. For a moment the pair sat in silence, then, at the sound of his mother's voice calling everyone to breakfast, Jeff shook himself into action.
"Come on. You have to face it, son."
Virgil climbed out of bed and grabbed the clothes he'd put out the night before.
"Virgil?" Jeff said, as he left the room.
"Yeah?"
"Don't make it harder for Scott to say goodbye. Please?"
Virgil shrugged. "'Kay."
"Good." Jeff paused for a moment. "You'll be okay with John, too, won't you?" It had been a tense couple of days, but the combined efforts of himself, Scott and his mother seemed to have got through to Virgil. The boy was clearly still unhappy, but he was doing his best not to take things out on his brother. Instead his piano had borne the brunt of his frustration - though any attempts to play the tune which had caused the fight of a couple of days ago were now strictly forbidden.
Virgil sighed. "Guess so. I promised Scott I'd try."
Jeff felt some of the weight on his shoulders lift as he left the room. A promise to Scott wasn't something Virgil would take lightly. Maybe the next few days wouldn't be so bad after all.
But first they had to get through breakfast. There were more tears from Grandma and another tantrum from Alan, still unhappy that Scott had found the bag he'd hidden in the hope that his brother wouldn't be able to leave without it. Gordon continually pointing out the fact that under Alan's bed would be the first place Scott would look hadn't helped matters, and for the second time that morning the two youngest brothers had started snapping at each other until their grandmother had, completely uncharacteristically, yelled at them to be quiet. No one ate particularly well, even though Grandma had outdone herself to prepare a goodbye feast. Scott did his best, but the knowledge that he wouldn't eat this well again for quite some time just made him feel homesick - and he hadn't even left yet!
He felt worse when the time came for the final goodbyes. Even after all his bags were packed into his father's car and John, Jeff and Virgil were sitting inside waiting for him, he found it hard to make that final break. It didn't help that his grandmother had decided that the best way to stop herself from crying was to launch into a last-minute series of lectures. She seemed to think Yale would be full of girls with dubious morals just waiting to lure him into trouble. Scott couldn't help hoping she was right about that one - not that he dared say so - but he also had to endure endless reminders about laundry, cooking, cleaning... When she'd finally run out of things to say, Scott had given her one last hug, clapped his youngest brothers on the back and got inside the car, only to have to get straight back out again to forcibly move Alan and Gordon who had decided that lying in front of the vehicle was a sure-fire way to ensure that no one went anywhere. In the end it was with some relief that he sat back as his father pulled away, only to immediately feel completely overwhelmed by everything as they turned a corner and the house, along with the oldest and youngest members of his family, was lost from sight.
"Okay, son?" his father asked. He'd been through this himself and he knew how Scott was feeling. At least his eldest didn't have to endure the feelings of guilt that Jeff had suffered when he'd left his widowed mother all alone.
"Yeah," Scott replied, and if his tone lacked its usual surety, no one said anything.
The flight to Yale in Jeff's private jet was unique in that there was none of the usual scrambling to be the one to sit in the co-pilot's seat next to their father. Scott would have loved to have had one last chance to fly, but he dutifully stayed in the cabin with his brothers, doing his best to keep a conversation going, even as he watched them carefully for any signs of tension. Virgil was, in fairness, doing his best to behave, even though Scott had to frown at him a couple of times when he seemed set to object as John made yet another comment about how lucky Scott was to be heading off to college. The blond was doing his best to be patient with Virgil, seeing things in a new light after his conversation with his grandmother, but he still had his own issues to deal with and Scott could see he was finding it increasingly hard to keep his temper. It was a long flight...
By early afternoon they'd arrived at Yale and finished moving Scott's things into his room. Virgil had been visibly disappointed to find that the place was pleasant enough. He'd clearly been hoping that Scott would take one look at it and decide he wanted to go home. As they wandered round the campus he grew even more subdued, scowling ferociously every time Scott showed any signs of enthusiasm. John was quiet too, even more so than usual, his expression eventually matching his brother's. Jeff registered his younger sons' discontent, but, knowing he'd have the next couple of days to help them come to terms with it all, decided he was going to focus all his attention on Scott. After all, it would be a few months before he would have the chance to do so again.
Eventually, they returned to Scott's room and talked for a while longer, all of them reluctant to admit that the time to part had arrived. It was Jeff who finally decided they had to get moving. Virgil and John would have lingered for hours, but the father knew it was time his eldest got the chance to start out on his new life. He shook his son's hand, smiled as Scott said goodbye to John, then pulled his second-eldest out of the room to allow the other two a little time together in private. John hadn't been too happy, but, when the others had finally emerged and he'd seen the utterly woeful expression on Virgil's face, he'd understood his father's actions. Virgil would always be closest to Scott, he thought, and he wondered again how he was supposed to take over from his brother.
They got to their car, having left Scott chatting to one of other boys, and Jeff got in. John hesitated. Scott always sat next to their father. Turning to Virgil he asked,
"Want to ride shotgun?" but Virgil just shook his head and flung himself into the back seat, turning his head to look out of the window, clearly doing his best not to cry.
"Come on, John," Jeff called, reaching across to open the passenger door. John was about to get in, then realised Virgil was watching him, a look of fury and betrayal on his face. With a small smile, John pushed the door shut and opened the one behind, settling himself into the back seat beside his brother.
"Okay, Virg?" he asked gently.
Virgil turned to him in wide-eyed surprise, clearly having expected him to have jumped straight into Scott's place. He managed a tiny but grateful smile before turning away. John looked up and caught his father's eye in the mirror. Jeff nodded in approval, then, with a final wistful glance back at the building where he'd left his son, drove away.
It was a fifty mile drive to the town where Vine Technology was based. Jeff's meeting wasn't until the following day, but he'd decided against staying anywhere near Scott, fearing his son might feel obliged to spend time with them instead of getting to know his fellow-students. Instead, he'd booked tickets for a basketball game, hoping to keep the boys occupied and get them involved in something other than moping for their lost brother. It wasn't the most exuberant he'd ever seen them, but they both seemed grateful for the distraction and, much to Jeff's relief, they seemed to be doing their best to keep on the right side of each other. After the game they went back to their hotel, tired after the long day and with an early start ahead of them the next morning so Jeff could take a tour of the facilities before his meeting. The company had agreed to allow the boys to go too, Jeff having mentioned that John would enjoy seeing the laboratories. Virgil wasn't particularly keen, being more interested in grand engineering projects, but he was happy enough to go along, appreciating how important things like this were to his father.
And so, after a breakfast which was a little more cheerful than the one they'd had the day before - Scott having called to reassure them he was doing just fine and already making friends - they arrived at Vine Technology where the owner was waiting to meet them.
"Okay," Jeff said as they got out of the car. "Remember, best behaviour, boys, I need you to make a good impression. These people are important to me." So saying, he straightened his tie and strode forward towards the woman who stood just inside the doorway, a broad smile on his face.
"Jennifer, it's good to see you," he said.
"Jeff!" The woman pulled Jeff firmly towards her, kissing both his cheeks. "You're looking well," she told him, gazing into his eyes.
John and Virgil exchanged incredulous looks. Their father didn't even like his own mother hugging him. To see him allowing a strange woman to get her hands on him - and to keep them there, since Jennifer was still holding on - was a complete shock. He didn't even look bothered about it - if anything he was smiling even more widely than before.
Jeff returned the compliment before reminding the woman that his sons were present. Jennifer let one hand drop as she turned to them, though the other ran gently over Jeff's back as she looked over to the two teenagers.
"Hello, boys. It's good to meet you at last. Your father's told me so much about you."
"Has he now," John muttered under his breath. "He's certainly kept quiet about you..."
