Disclaimer: I don't own the Thunderbirds or the Tracys with the exception of Sam.

A/N: The usual- you all know that Sam and Alex are intimate and well some material may not be appropriate for some readers. ADULT MATERIAL.

Chapter 2

"Hi, Sis," called John. He and Catie had their gear ready to go back home. "Everything is ready for you in the living quarters. Catie made up your bed so you don't have to."

"Thanks, Catie," Sam replied. "Which bed do I get and in which room?"

"The one that is made in our quarters," John answered. "The other room is for Alan and whatever brother gets to rotate up here." Sam carried her bag to the room and set it on top of her bed. She hurried back to help unload the supplies from Thunderbird 3. John went over a few things with her that he felt she should know. Before they left, John pulled her aside.

"Call me anytime you want," he said. "I know this is going to be hard for you but I am really proud that you are still sticking with IR. I'll help Alex look after Johnny and Lucy." Sam's eyes teared up at the mention of her children. She hurriedly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

"The telescope is set up in the corner there for you," Catie said. John and Alan gave Sam a hug and they left her standing on the control deck. She watched the airlock close behind them.

"Thunderbird 3 to Thunderbird 5, undocking now," said Alan. Sam stared out the window and watched Thunderbird 3 head back to Tracy Island.

"Safe trip, guys," she said. She looked around the station and went back to the living quarters and opened her bag. Lying in between some of her clothes was picture of her, Alex, and their twins. She took it with her back to the control station and set it down and began to listen to the chatter on the radio. With a sigh, she stood up and decided to unpack the groceries that had been sent up, basically rations that were easier on an astronaut's digestive system. She groaned as she recalled the taste of some of the meals.

"Nothing like eating cardboard," she thought to herself. She fixed herself a mug of hot tea and went back to her station with a book in her free hand. "I might as well read while I'm sitting here." She spent the remainder of the afternoon reading her book and was just getting ready to fix herself an early dinner when the alarm went off.

"International Rescue, please respond, we are in need of your assistance," called a voice over the radio.

"This is International Rescue, what is your emergency?" Sam asked. She pulled up a screen that located the origin of the call.

"We need your help in rescuing a family that is trapped in their house on the side of a hill that has shifted due to an earthquake," responded the caller.

"Where are you located?" Sam asked quickly.

"California. Please hurry that house is unstable and we don't know if there will be anymore tremors," came the reply.

"What's your name and position in this situation?" asked Sam. "I need to relay information to our commander."

"My name is Chris and I'm the person in charge of managing the rescue," he replied.

"Chris, my name is Sam and I need you to hold on just a moment. I'm going to contact my commander and alert him of your request," she said. Sam flipped another switch and was connected to Tracy Island.

"Go ahead, Sam," said Jeff as Sam's portrait changed to a live feed.

"We have a request to help a rescue team get a family out of their home. The house is located on a hill and evidently there was an earthquake this morning and the house has shifted. Rescue workers can't get to them in time due to the instability of the house and the hill," she reported. Jeff pushed the alarm button and Sam watched as her brothers came running into the lounge.

"Scott, we're being asked to rescue a family from their home that has been damaged by an earthquake. Rescue workers can't reach the house and now they need us," Jeff said. "Get going in Thunderbird 1 and Sam will give you the coordinates for the danger zone. Virgil, Gordon, and Alan, you take Thunderbird 2. Scott and Sam will give you information as Sam gets it. Thunderbirds Are Go!" They all ran to their portraits and disappeared from view. Sam switched back to Chris.

"Chris, International Rescue is on the way," she said. "Can you give me any other information that may be vital to rescuing the family? How many members are there and are there any handicaps or disabilities?"

"There are four family members, no disabilities or handicaps," he answered. "One of the children is only a year old and the other is three. That's the only information that we have received so far."

"That will help the team," she said. She switched to communicating with Scott, knowing that Jeff would hear them.

"Thunderbird 5 to Thunderbird 1, please respond," she said.

"Thunderbird 1 to Thunderbird 5, go ahead," Scott replied.

"Family of four trapped in the house, two children ages one and three," she informed him. "No handicaps or anything of that nature. Hold on a sec, the rescue team is calling in again. Go ahead, Chris."

"We just had a tremor and the house has shifted a bit on the hill," he began. "You have to hurry…" He suddenly paused and Sam could hear some screaming in the background.

"Sam, the house has slid a few feet down the hillside. If it continues a bit further it will drop onto the highway," Chris reported.

"Let me talk to my Field Commander," she said calmly. "Scott, the house has slid down a few feet. What is your e.t.a.?"

"Two minutes," he answered. "Thunderbird 1 to Thunderbird 2, what is your e.t.a. to the danger zone?"

"E.t.a. is seven minutes," answered Virgil. "What's the situation?" Sam patched into the communications between Thunderbirds 1 and 2 and Base.

"Thunderbird 2, the house has slid down the hill a few feet and we're being told that if it slides any further it will collapse to the highway below the hill. I'm guessing it was built on a crest of a hill and not fully supported in case of an earthquake," Sam informed her youngest brothers. She knew that all three of them would be in the cockpit.

"Thunderbirds 2 and 5, I'm at the danger zone," said Scott. "Virgil, hurry up if you can. That house is going to go at any moment. Best course of action would be to lower the rescue platform and pull the family up that way. I can see them on the front porch of the house. There is no ground for them to escape to around them."

"Gordon, you get on the rescue platform and Alan, you man the controls," ordered Virgil. Gordon and Alan ran back to where the platform was and put their safety harnesses on and Gordon got on the platform and waited for it to be lowered to the family. A few minutes later, Virgil opened the deck and Alan lowered the platform down to the level of the front porch.

"Virgil, can you ease over just a bit? Stop," Gordon called. He opened the gate and reached out to help the woman and baby over. He made them sit down and reached back out to get the three-year-old from his dad. Gordon stepped back and the man lunged onto the platform just as the house shifted and began falling over the edge of the hill.

"MOVE NOW!" yelled Alan as he watched the house get dangerously close to battering the platform. Instantly, Thunderbird 2 was moving away from the hill. When they were out of the danger zone. The rescue platform was lowered to the ground and the family was released to the rescue team on the ground. Scott had already begun to pack up Mobile Control. Alan retracted the cables for the platform and was surprised to see Gordon lying on the floor of the platform.

"Gordon, what are you doing?" he asked. Gordon looked up at him with a pained expression.

"When that guy lunged onto the platform, he pushed me sideways with the kid in my arms," he answered. "I've wrenched my back and its letting me know it." Alan knelt down next to his brother and helped him to his feet.

"Medical bay for you and a nice flat surface to lie on," Alan ordered. Gordon didn't argue and that was enough to let Alan know that he was hurting.

"Thunderbird 1 to Base, I'm heading back to Base," said Scott.

"Thunderbird 2 to Base, we're heading back to Base," said Virgil.

"Thunderbirds 1 and 2, have a safe flight home and great job," replied Jeff. "Sam, I'll call you back when we go through debriefing."

"Yes, Sir," she said. She cut the communications and sat back in her chair.

Alan helped Gordon to the infirmary when they got back to the island and Brains gave him a muscle relaxer to help with the pain in his back. They joined Virgil and Scott in the lounge for the debriefing. Jeff looked at Gordon and Alan questioningly.

"Why are you late?" he asked.

"Gordon…" Alan began. Gordon elbowed him in the ribs. "Ouch!"

"I'm fine," Gordon answered. "Got the family just in time, didn't we, guys?"

"Yeah, Sam gave us the necessary information so that we could have a plan ready to go," responded Scott. "There were no surprises or missing information. Same as it was when John was up in 5. Both of them stay so calm and that helps us keep our sanity." Sam smiled at his compliment from the live feed.

"Thanks, Scott, but you're beginning to make me sick with the sweetness," she teased. She saw John and Catie join the family for the debriefing. Alex came in right behind them with Johnny and Lucy. They were quick to see Sam.

"MOMMA!" they cried in unison.

"Hi, Sweeties," she said. "Are you being good for Daddy?" Gordon had gotten up and was standing next to Johnny and then Johnny started shaking his head.

"NO! Gor," he cried. Johnny struggled to get to Gordon and the family laughed when he got a handful of hair and pulled.

"I think that he wants to play," said Alex as he tried to hand Johnny to Gordon. Gordon backed up a bit and confirmed Jeff's suspicions.

"Sorry, Johnny, but Uncle Gordon better not," he said quietly. Johnny started crying for his uncle and holding out his arms.

"Gory, Gory," he cried. Catie stepped forward and took Johnny from Alex.

"Johnny, want to go swimming with Uncle John and Aunt Catie?" she asked. Johnny stopped crying and looked at his aunt.

"Wim?" he repeated. Lucy looked around and spotted Alan sitting in a chair.

"Wim, wim, Al!" she added. Alan looked at John and Catie and sighed.

"Guess we know what you two are going to be doing for awhile," quipped Virgil. Alex handed Lucy to Alan.

"John, let's take them out to swim for awhile," she said as she glanced at Alex. He nodded in agreement. Catie and John took Johnny outside and Alan followed with Lucy in his arms.

"Bye, Sweeties," called Sam as her babies were taken outside to swim.

"MOMMA," she cried. Alan took her back to the portrait and Lucy put her little hand on the screen, right on her cheek. Sam looked away for a moment to compose herself.

"Mommy loves you," she said softly. Alex looked miserable and alone. Gordon and Alan looked at each other and nodded. It didn't escape Jeff's attention how lonely Sam seemed. She didn't have anyone to keep her company and her husband and children missed her as much as she missed them. Alan and Lucy joined Catie and John and Johnny out in the pool. Alan told John how sad Sam looked and what Lucy had done.

"I know that she's trained as an astronaut but she's a mother and wife," said John. "She's part of International Rescue but she shouldn't have to be alone even for just two weeks. I wonder if Dad will let one of our brothers do one of her weeks that way she can help out more down here. She won't be shirking her duties and she'll still get to be an astronaut. We'd have to figure something out eventually because I've overheard them talking and they both want more children. At least two but four if Alex has his way."

"I don't have a problem with someone taking one week of her rotation, John," said a deep voice from the pool deck. John and Alan looked up and realized the whole family minus Alex was on the pool deck. Even Grandma, Kyrano, Tin-Tin, and Brains had come out for what would be a discussion on how to make things better for Sam and her family.

"I have no problem taking one week of her rotation," volunteered Gordon. "That way she still can do what she's trained to do."

"Why don't we alternate the rotations," suggested Virgil. Jeff looked up at him and waited for him to continue.

"One of her weeks, I'll go, the next time Scott can go, and then Gordon the next time," he explained. "All of us can fly any of the Thunderbirds so we have the trained pilots to handle the job."

"Let's start this next week," said Gordon. "I'll go for the week and then Virgil and Scott can decide the next rotation."

"Actually, that seems to be a good idea since it is apparent to me that you've hurt your back and didn't tell me during the debriefing," said Jeff. "A week with nothing strenuous will be good for you and next time tell me that you've been injured."

"Sammie is going to be so surprised with this," said John. "Expect lots of tears from her. Remember she's used to thinking of us and not herself and this will break her down. Alex and the twins are going to be the most appreciative cus they'll have Sam home."

"We'd have to figure something out soon anyway," added Gordon. "You and Catie will have kids after you get married and then we'll have to rearrange things again." Catie blushed at his remarks because that had been a discussion while she and John had been on Thunderbird 5.

"Wim, wim!" cried Johnny. Catie had stopped moving and Johnny was getting bored with splashing the water. John and Catie started swimming again and Johnny started laughing again.

"Hey, Johnny," said John. "You want your Uncle John, don't you?" Catie shook her head and Johnny followed her lead. John looked dumbfounded until he saw his fiancée's movement out of the corner of his eye. John shifted his nephew to one arm and splashed Catie. Johnny splashed the water and laughed as Catie splashed John back.

"Don't encourage him next time," laughed John. He and Catie played with Johnny and Lucy for awhile and then Scott and Virgil took a turn.

Meanwhile in the lounge:

"I miss you, Sam," said Alex as he gazed at her. "Are you doing alright up there?"

"I miss you, too," she admitted as a tear escaped her eye. "I'm glad that John had Catie to keep him company because it's real lonely up here. At least when John and I were with NASA we had other astronauts to talk to. I don't have anyone to talk to unless it's during a rescue or Dad calls up to check on me. Alan called up late last night to see how I was doing. Next time I come up I have to bring more books. I've already finished two of them since yesterday as well as done the routine maintenance and worked out for an hour. I'm so wired from the endless amounts of tea that I've had to drink. The best thing going for being up here is the view. John set the telescope up and it's so beautiful up here and looking down at Earth is breathtaking." Alex smiled at her and let her talk. He raised his hand like Lucy had done and put it on the screen as if he were touching her face.

"I can't wait until you get home," he said softly. Sam kissed her finger tips and touched the screen where Alex's hand was.

"Just twelve more days, Alex," she said as another tear coursed down her cheek. "I'll talk to you later. I…have…to go." She disconnected the transmission and Alex stared at her portrait that replaced the live feed.

"Twelve days is too long," he whispered. He turned to the pool deck and watched his children playing with their uncles. Jeff and Grandma were sitting on the pool deck and watching over the family.

"Master Alex, all is well?" asked Kyrano. Alex looked at Jeff's confidant and man-servant.

"It will be when Samantha is home," he answered. "Kyrano, you've known Sam for a long time. Do you think she's strong enough to handle the pressure of being all alone for two weeks at a time?"

"Master Alex, Miss Samantha is a very independent young woman," said Kyrano. "She is also a Tracy and they are the most determined group of individuals that you will come across in life. Mister Tracy has taught them from an early age to be independent yet their family is always there for them. You've been around long enough to know that if one sibling has a problem the others make it their problem until it is solved. Things will change for you and Miss Samantha as well as your children." He bowed and left the room. Alex looked at the door he'd exited in confusion. Some of what Kyrano said was upfront and easy to understand but some of it was a riddle. Alex shook his head and went out to the pool deck to join his brother-in-laws and children. Lucy saw him first.

"Dada," she cried. Virgil handed her to Alex and smiled when Lucy gave Alex a slobbery kiss. Alex smiled at his daughter as he kissed her back.

"Hey, Princess," he said as he pulled her through the water. She giggled as the water splashed around her. Johnny saw them and immediately cried out.

"DADA, UP!" he demanded. Scott waited until Alex had shifted his hold on Lucy and then gave him Johnny. Alex held both of his children to him and pulled them through the water. They laughed their deep belly laugh as Scott, Virgil, and Gordon looked at one another. Their sister needed to be here with her children and they would see that it was done.

The rest of the week went by and on the morning that ended her first week Gordon joined John and Alan on the couch in the lounge and Jeff sent them down to Thunderbird 3.

"Have a safe trip and we'll see you in a few hours," he said as the couch began to lower. "Gordon, you're going to make your sister very happy as well as your niece and nephew." Gordon smiled up at him and then the three of them disappeared from view.

A couple of hours later, Thunderbird 3 was docked onto Thunderbird 5. Sam was standing next to the airlock.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "I'm not due for any supplies or anything. Are Lucy and Johnny alright?" She looked at her three brothers and waited for an answer.

"Calm down, Sammie," ordered John. "Everything is fine at home except for the fact that you're not there."

"So, I've come up to fill in for your final week," added Gordon. Sam drew in a sharp breath as his words sank in. She grabbed him into a tight hug and began to cry.

"Sis, um, please be careful of my back. I hurt it again," he said. Sam loosened her hold but didn't let go or stop crying. Gordon patted her on the back. "It's alright, Sam, we all discussed how to help you and this is what we came up with. You still get to be up here for a week and put your astronaut training to use. None of us thought it was right that you were up here for two weeks with no contact with any one. Dad has already decided that when Alan begins his rotation in a week, Tin-Tin will join him. Catie will be with John and that means they won't be alone." Sam looked over at Alan and John.

"Does this mean something, Alan?" she asked. Alan blushed and nodded his head.

"Tin-Tin and I have been dating for a few years and I'm going to ask her to marry me," he admitted. "I just don't know when she'll want to set the date."

"Congratulations!" Sam said as she hugged her youngest brother. Gordon and John clapped him on the back. Sam went to the living quarters with her brothers behind her. She quickly packed her gear and then went back to the control station and picked up her picture. She tucked it safely in her bag. Gordon shooed them to the airlock.

"See you in a week," he said as the door closed behind them. Sam settled in the copilot's chair as John strapped into the pilot's seat. Alan shook his head and sighed. Sam heard him and quickly stood up and offered him her seat.

"Are you sure, Sammie?" he asked.

"Sure, I can relax while you do the work," she teased. "Does Alex know that I'm coming home?"

"Nope," said John. "We wanted to surprise him."

A few hours later, they had stored Thunderbird 3 in her silo and done all the post-flight maintenance. Alex was in their apartment when Sam got home. He had just put the twins down for a nap and was lying on his bed when Sam quietly opened and closed the living room door and then locked it. She set her bag down on the couch and tiptoed to the twins' nursery. She opened the door and silently moved towards their crib. Lucy and Johnny were asleep and Lucy had her arm across Johnny's tummy. Smiling gently, she left the nursery and went to her bedroom. Alex had his eyes closed and soft music played from the stereo. Sam choked back her tears when she realized that it was their wedding cd. She gently closed their bedroom door and crept towards Alex. She stood looking down at him for a moment and thought about how much he meant to her.

"I hope that you're thinking about me," she said softly. He opened his eyes and stared up at her in shock. She laid down next to him and rubbed her hand along his jaw line and then down his chest.

"How did you get home?" he asked in amazement. Sam leaned down and kissed him. Her hand was gently caressing his chest and he gave up any rational thoughts. He returned her kisses as the passion built between them.

"Samantha, oh gawd, I missed you," he moaned as they made love. He was tender and gentle as they moved as one. Sam responded by kissing him harder and rubbing her hands down his back and then up again.

"Missed you, too," she whispered. They shuddered in ecstasy as they both released at the same time. Sam dozed off in her husband's arms. He looked down at her and kissed her softly on her forehead.

"This is where I want you, Sam," he said softly.

"This is where I want to be," she muttered. "I love you so much, Alex." She sighed as he moved his hand along her body.

"Samantha, I love you," he said as they dozed off. After a few minutes, she could hear the twins stirring in their room and looked down at her husband.

"Guess who's up?" she asked. Alex winked at her and smiled.

"Not me, you've already taken care of that," he teased. Sam kissed him and then slid out of their bed and got dressed again. Alex watched her and smiled at her.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing. Just watching my beautiful wife get dressed and thinking about what I'm going to do to her later," he answered. He stood up and got dressed and laughed when she came up to him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Come on, I want to hold our son and daughter," she said as they walked hand-in-hand to the nursery. "How are my babies doing?"

"MOMMA!" cried both Johnny and Lucy. "Momma, up!" Sam picked Lucy and then Johnny up.

"Can Mommy have a kiss?" she asked. Lucy kissed one side of Sam's face and Johnny kissed the other. Each of them laid their head on Sam's shoulders and tangled one of their hands in her hair.

"Momma," they both said again as they looked at their dad.

"Yes, Mommy's home," he agreed as he kissed the three most important people in his life. Alex tried to take Lucy from Sam only to have her hold tighter to Sam's hair.

"That's okay, Alex, let's just take them to the living room and they can play in there," she suggested. Alex went to open the living room door and saw Sam's gear lying on the couch as he passed it. He quickly picked it up and carried it to their bedroom and closed the door. Sam had put the twins down and they were standing up with their hands on the coffee table. Sam was sitting on the floor and Alex sat down next to her. Johnny looked over at them and turned so that he was facing them. With a look of concentration, he took a small step towards his parents. Sam gasped as she realized what he was doing. He took another cautious yet determined step. Lucy was watching him with extreme interest and didn't realize that she'd let go of the table also. Scott, Virgil, John, and Alan had come to see Sam and had stopped at the door when they saw Johnny and Lucy walking towards their parents. Sam had shifted position so that she was on her knees and had her arms out to Johnny and Lucy.

"Come on, little man," she encouraged. "Lucy, Mommy's waiting on you." Johnny kept his small determined pace until he reached Sam and Alex. He sat down on the floor and watched Lucy walking towards them.

"Ucy," Johnny said as he clapped his little hands. Lucy smiled at him and fell down on the floor next to him. Alex and Sam hugged their children and gave them each a kiss. Scott knocked on the door and Sam looked up at her brothers. She waved them in.

"Did you see that?" she asked as a tear fell from her eye. "If you guys wouldn't have worked it out for me to come home I would have missed seeing my son and daughter's first steps. Thank you for being the best brothers ever." She stood up and gave each of them a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"I told you that the tears would come out," said John. Sam looked up at him and grinned.

"You of all people would know that," she replied. "Seriously, though, this means so much to me."

"Correction, it means so much to all of us," said Alex as he wrapped his arm around Sam's waist. She leaned her head back against him and glanced down just in time to see Johnny and Lucy stand up again and toddle towards their uncles. Each step they took got better and better.

"UP!" demanded Johnny when he reached John. "Wim, wim." John shook his head and laughed.

"With the red hair and green eyes and the love of swimming," he said. "I think he's Gordon all over again." Sam looked at her son with pride and a strong love.

"I don't think that our son or daughter could ever go wrong taking after any of their uncles," said Alex. Lucy had reached Virgil and was tugging on his shorts.

"Up," she said as she lifted her arms. Virgil leaned over and picked her up and smiled when she kissed him on the cheek.

"Sam, can we take these two for a little bit?" asked Scott. "That way you can have some quiet time. Oh, Grandma wants all of us in the dining room at six tonight. We can keep the twins until then."

"Not that I need anymore quiet time after a week on 5 but I would love to take a relaxing bath without worrying about using too much hot water for my shower," she remarked. Her brothers took Johnny and Lucy and winked at Alex. After they left, Alex shut and locked the door again. Sam smiled as he walked towards her. He leaned down and kissed her. His hands cradled her head as the kiss intensified.

"Samantha, I can't wait until you get pregnant," he said as they walked back to their room. Sam grabbed her clothes and went to their bathroom.

"I really do want to take a long shower," she said as he undressed her. He ran his hands gently over her body and she gasped at his soft caresses. She in turn undressed him and lightly touched him and sent shivers through his body. He opened the shower door and they both stepped in and he closed the door behind them. Sam quickly washed her hair while Alex washed her back and arms. After their shower, they got dressed and went to their kitchenette and Sam fixed them a snack. Alex opened the door and windows to allow a breeze into the apartment. Sam sat down on the couch next to Alex and they watched a movie on television and ate their snack. Sam dozed off as she relaxed against Alex. He looked down at her, with a slight grin on his face. He was indebted to her brothers for letting her come back home a week early. Sam snuggled closer to him in her sleep and laid her arm across his abdomen. He kissed the top of her head in a contented manner. A light knock on the door made him look up. Jeff was standing outside the door.

"Come in, Dad," he said softly. Jeff came in and smiled when he saw Sam leaning against Alex, asleep.

"So, what did you think of your surprise?" Jeff asked.

"You knew about this?" Alex asked.

"Of course, I knew about it, I authorized it when her brothers proposed it to me," he answered. "I want my children to be happy and after seeing Sam and Lucy on that second day, I knew that she didn't need to be there for two weeks alone. I also didn't like seeing my grandchildren upset and missing their mother."

"I can honestly say that I prefer having my wife here with me," said Alex. "You might as well know Sam and I want to have another baby. If that happens then I'm putting my foot down and there will be no more rotations on 5. She will be needed here as a mother and my wife more than an astronaut."

"We're already addressing those issues," admitted Jeff. "With six children, one of them married, one engaged, and another to follow suit soon, I have to make sure that everything is covered. I have a feeling that I'm going to have quite a few grandchildren on this island." Sam muttered in her sleep and was still again. Jeff looked down at his only daughter and back to Alex.

"You have made her very happy, Alex," he said. "You've been there just like you promised and you have kept her with her family and for that I can never thank you enough."

"Samantha is one of the three most important people in my life," Alex said as he tightened his hold on Sam. "I don't care where I live as long as they are there. In all honesty, I really like being part of this family. Her brothers are all protective of her and I know that they are watching over her on rescues and I feel better knowing that."

He couldn't help but look down at his sleeping wife and Jeff noticed the spark of protective love in his eyes.

"I'll see you at dinner," he said. He left the apartment and went back to the main house.

Alex carefully withdrew his arm from behind Sam and laid her down on the couch. He carried their snack dishes back to the kitchen and looked back at her.

"I wonder how long it will take before she gets pregnant again," he thought to himself. "I really would like to have four children with her. Six would be great but I don't want her to have any complications or be too tired to enjoy life." Sam opened her eyes and looked around for Alex.

"I'm in the kitchen," he said. Sam sat up and wiped her eyes. She stood up and stretched.

"How long did I sleep?" she asked as she joined him in the kitchen and got a drink of water. She leaned against the counter and sighed.

"Just an hour and a half," he answered. She set her glass on the counter and hugged Alex. "You must have been tired from the flight back from Thunderbird 5."

"It's not a long flight but it does wear me out," she admitted. He began kissing her and playing with her hair. She giggled at his antics and pushed him away. "Behave yourself, Alex."

"How am I going to get you pregnant if we don't play," he whined. She swatted at him as he grabbed her again.

"Let's go get Johnny and Lucy," she suggested. "We can take a walk on the beach with them before dinner."

"Sounds like something they would enjoy," agreed Alex. They went to the pool and tried to get the twins but they had other ideas.

"WIM, WIM, Momma," screamed Johnny as he struggled in her arms. She sighed and handed him back to Scott. Johnny began splashing happily in the water again. Lucy and Virgil were no where to be seen.

"Scott, where's Lucy?" Alex asked.

"She and Virgil are in the lounge," he answered. Sam and Alex went into the lounge and looked around the room. At first they didn't see Virgil sitting at his piano with Lucy on his lap. A stray note drew their attention in that direction. Virgil was holding Lucy's hands in his and guiding them over the keys. Lucy had the biggest smile on her face as she heard the music.

"Hi, Sis," said Virgil when he saw them watching. "She likes the piano and well, I like having time with her."

"It seems as though our children definitely are picking things up from their uncles," said Alex. "Lucy, want to come with Mommy and Daddy?"

"No," she answered as she nestled back against Virgil. Virgil shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't mind watching her until dinner," he added as he held his niece closer to him. Sam and Alex looked at each other and sighed.

"Let's go for a walk by ourselves then," Alex said. He took Sam's hand in his and they left the lounge and headed to the path that would take them to the beach. Sam kicked off her shoes and walked in the shallow water with Alex right beside her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and she leaned her head on his shoulder. They reached the point where they had their first date on the beach and stopped. Alex grinned at her mischievously. She looked up at him and smirked.

"Just what is that look for, Mr. Murphy?" she asked. Alex picked her up and held her close to him.

"Remember what we did here?" he whispered in her ear.

"How could I ever forget?" she replied. She leaned her head back and looked into his eyes. He leaned forward and kissed her with such passion and longing that she gasped in surprise.

"Samantha Murphy, make love with me, right here and now," he begged. Sam nodded her head and he carried her into the ocean. Their kisses got more desperate and they somehow got the clothes that were hindering their passion out of the way. Sam gripped their clothes in one hand as Alex continued to carry them into deeper water so that their tryst wouldn't be seen. He entered her with a hunger that surprised him. Here they were in broad daylight and making love in the ocean. Sam leaned her head against his neck as he surged into her. They looked into each other's eyes as their breathing calmed down. Alex kissed her softly on her mouth as he carried her into shallower waters and they both pulled their clothes back on. Sam sat down in the shallowest bit of water and began to laugh softly.

"If we keep this up, I will be pregnant and sooner than we had thought," she said. Alex pulled her against him and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"I love you, Sam, and I want a big family," he said quietly. "But mostly, I love you, Johnny, and Lucy." He gently kissed her on her forehead.