AN: This is one of the chapters where not much of the text was recovered and to be honest I've forgotten the original. I was going to skip this chapter and the next, so it went straight to when the children are pre-teens. But I've decided to attempt to rewrite it although I'm fairly certain it's not as interesting as the original despite how many years ago it was. It's another chapter I'm going have to come back and alter when I have the free time. Maybe make it so something actually happens in it.

A scream rang from the garden causing a pregnant Lucille to jump to her feet and over to the window, followed closely by her two oldest sons. Looking out at the garden she spotted two very wet 6 year olds and a laughing four year old holding a bucket. She shook her head but failed to hide her fond smile. Gordon, even at the tender age of 4, was turning into a practical joker and always brought a smile to her face, a trait she hoped he never lost. Watching as the dangerous brown eyes of her second youngest met with those of his mischievous best friend, before they both turned to his still giggling sibling, Lucille decided to intervene. Turning, she noticed Scott and John behind her.

"Boys, will you go and fetch Virge and Darcy before they kill your brother? And then send Gordon into me?" Scott nodded and strode out the door confidently, John scuttling behind him after depositing his book on the side.

"Gordon. Mum said go and see her." Scott called as he approached Virgil. He leant down and picked the little 6 year up while John, who had followed him out, turned disapproving eyes to his youngest brother.

"You should be happy Dad's not home." The times their father spent at home these days were few and far between, the boys didn't mind but when he was home he was grouchy and temperamental for a good few days, meaning it was up to them to keep a hyperactive Gordon quiet. Gordon nodded sadly and looked up through guilty eyes, causing Scott to lean forwards and ruffle his bright red hair.

"It's gonna be fine Gordy. Go see Mummy." Gordon offered him a half smile and scampered off into the house on his small legs. John wrapped an arm around Darcy's shoulders and directed her into the house behind Scott and Virge. They had made it as far as the sitting room where Lucille was bouncing an ashamed looking Gordon on her lap when the door opened and a deep tenor voice rang out.

"Honey! Boys! I'm home." Gordon took off towards the door, followed by Scott who scooped the stumbling toddler up without faltering in his own steps. Virgil glanced quickly at the clock before running after his brothers. John and Lucille followed at a slower pace after John helped the pregnant woman up while Darcy curled up on the armchair and waited for them to return. When they did Jeff entered first, with Gordon captured in one arm and Virgil in the other. Scott had his hand curled in the folds of his father's shirt and Lucille was hovering close by, one hand on her stomach protectively while the other was slightly raised away from her side, as if she was ready to grab Jeff at any given moment. John followed the family into the room before leaving their side and coming to sit on the chair, tucked up against Darcy. It was only then that Jeff noticed the girl in his living room.

"Good afternoon Darcy."

"Afte'noon sir." He noticed that she shifted closer to the older boy next to her who moved to accommodate her position in the same way he would have done if it was any of his brothers. Virgil shuffled in his arms in a request to be put down. When he was he put on the floor he scampered over to where the two children were curled up and offered his hand. Giggling Darcy took it and slipped off the chair, pulling John with her. Then Virgil turned back to Jeff, but his brown eyes were focusing on Scott who had moved to stand beside his father.

"We still going to the park Scotty?" Scott glanced up at his father who frowned. He just wanted to spend some time with the boys. Reading the expression before Jeff even expressed the words Scott turned back.

"No today Virge. Dad's home. I'll take you tomorrow."

"But John's at astronomy and Darcy's wont be here." The voice was begging and his small hand was yet to release Darcy's.

"Virgil." Jeff said sternly and his son instantly backed down.

"Sorry Daddy. T'morrows okay Scotty." Scott nodded and lent into his Dad's touch when the man wrapped a firm arm around his shoulder. Virgil turned to his best friend with a mournful expression.

"Why don't we take Darcy home and then all go to the movies?" Jeff offered as his youngest son buried his head against his neck. Lucille had wandered over and sat on the sofa heavily a few moments earlier. Darcy looked up panicked, an expression that was mirrored on Virgil's face and to some extent John's, who lay a hand on the small girls arm. Lucille watched the interaction before opening her arms.

"Come here Darcy." Jeff watched the as the girl ran towards his wife and buried herself in her embrace. Lucille wrapped the arm not lying on her large stomach around the small girl. "Now now Jeff. Darcy's parents are not at home which means she'd have to be left with an aunt that she doesn't know all that well. I said we could keep her here till after dinner. We can go to the movies after we've eaten." Jeff frowned but nodded. He felt Scott leave his side and was surprised when the 10 year old reached up and lifted the now sleeping toddler from his arms. He glanced down bewildered.

"I'm going to put him to bed Dad." Scott was holding Gordon securely as he carried the tiny body towards the door and Jeff couldn't help but wonder when his baby boy had matured so much. Turning his eyes back to his other children he was surprised to find them gone.

"Where's John and Virgil?" Lucille looked at his shocked face and laughed.

"John's taken them outside, he's offered to play with them which naturally means he will start talking about stars to Darcy. He's barely put his new book down. Within 5 minutes Virgil will be back in here to get his guitar to distract her attention away from his brother." Jeff walked to the window and noticed the young girl sat happily between his two quietest sons. Sure enough his blonde darling was pointing out things in what seemed to be an astronomy book and while the girl looked entranced, Virgil was frowning but talking nonetheless. He remembered a time when Virgil would barely utter a word, John usually still didn't. He laid his hand on the telescope that was hidden in his bag and glanced back out the window.

"You can give them your presents later love. I know you're desperate to give John his but he'll focus a lot more attention on you if you wait till he's finished talking to Virgil and Darcy." Jeff turned and looked at his beautiful wife before reluctantly nodding his head. He walked over to the sofa and curled up against her, laying a hand on child number 5. As Scott's gentle, soothing voice came echoing down the stairs from where he was singing Gordon back to sleep, Jeff closed his eyes and vowed to stay at home more and actually see this one grow up.