This chapter is pretty much pure fluff, but it's still important. Happy birthday, me!

noun. The pursuit of happiness is defined as a fundamental right mentioned in the Declaration of Independence to freely pursue joy and live life in a way that makes you happy, as long as you don't do anything illegal or violate the rights of others. – Dictionary definition.

Chapter Four

Scott didn't say anything when his middle brother insisted on accompanying him in the car for the ride back from the Parade, John getting into their father's Porsche with a nod of understanding. In fact, he could barely get a word in during the entire journey as Virgil babbled on about anything and everything, from the text he was reading in History class, to his upcoming piano exam pieces, to how he could paint the tree in their back garden if he got the brush strokes just perfect. Scott couldn't help but smile, talking with their father had evidently done his younger brother a world of good.

As they pulled up to the house their father's car was already there and Jeff and John were just entering through the front door. It was late evening, the sun just beginning to slip beneath the horizon, the first signs of night creeping up on the Kansas town.

"You don't fool me, you know," Virgil muttered as Scott shut off the engine. "I know you came up with the plan to have me ride with Dad. I didn't tell him though."

Scott for his part was stunned into silence at his brother's words, getting out and grabbing his backpack from the backseat before locking the blue sedan and heading up to the house, the artist several paces in front. Virgil might still be young but he was very perceptive, and it made him seem so much older than his thirteen years. The pilot then found himself quirking an eyebrow as his brother suddenly stopped in front of him, before having to then flail his arms to keep himself balanced as Virgil threw himself at him. Straightening, Scott grinned and looped his arms around his brother's shoulders in response, returning the embrace. His plan had evidently worked in some way as Virgil definitely seemed much lighter, almost like he had a spring in his step. It was nice to see.

Pulling away, Virgil beamed up at him. "Thank you."

"No problem, short-stuff," he replied, ruffling Virgil's hair as they continued walking. "But you know, you can talk to me at any time about anything, same with John. I know things have been hard for you, even if I can't fathom what that entire heist experience was like, you shouldn't have to bottle it up."

Virgil's face was squished into a soft puzzled look, meaning he was obviously thinking about his brother's words. "I guess I didn't really know how to. John would always let me know I could talk to him but he was also very happy to just do stuff in silence. Both of us were happy with not being alone whilst also not having to talk. He'd do his homework or look through his telescope and I'd paint or get him to help me with my homework. I just thought…"

"That avoiding talking would just make the problems go away?" Scott finished softly and Virgil nodded up at him, his teeth worrying his lip. The eldest threw an arm around his shoulders, giving a comforting squeeze. "Tracy stubbornness right there."

"You know, you should try taking your own advice, Scotty," the artist said quietly, before entering the house. The conversation was cut off there as Virgil was all but bowled over by Alan who immediately began jabbering away to his older brother about his day at school. Gordon stealthily moved from his position next to John to hug Scott before standing back, a look of pure awe on his face as he took in the appearance of his oldest brother. He then made a clumsy salute which made the pilot beam and he ruffled fish-feet's copper hair, which was still slightly damp from his swimming practice.

"You look awesome in that uniform, Scotty!" Gordon marvelled, not moving as Alan shot past him into Scott's arms, having previously been entwined in his father's before spotting his eldest brother too. Scott was indeed still in his parade dress uniform, blue-grey tailcoat and white trousers, even smarter than his standard cadets combat wear that his brothers were used to seeing him in.

"Yes he does," Grandma said, moving to hug him and plant a kiss on his cheek. "We're very proud of you."

"Thanks, Grandma."

"You look like a soldier!" Alan said, such love and awe coming out of his eyes that Scott couldn't resist hugging the seven-year-old again before bending down to one knee so he was on his brother's level. They would get to the tough talk further down the line, allowing his youngest brothers to properly prepare for his departure, but for now, it was about keeping those smiles on the Terrible Two's faces.

"That's right, Allie. I'm helping to keep you and our family, and all of our friends safe."

As Alan smiled brightly, Jeff moved to mirror Scott's position, down on one knee beside Alan, placing one hand on each of his son's shoulders. "We're all very proud of him aren't we, Sprout?"

Alan nodded to his father enthusiastically. "Yes, daddy! Scotty is going to be like you! Can I tell all my friends?" he asked, turning to Scott.

The pilot ruffled his brother's hair. "You bet you can, kiddo."

Gordon and John had moved closer during the exchange, the eleven-year-old standing behind Jeff and Alan, John leaning against the door frame. Meanwhile Virgil was babbling to their grandmother in the background.

"I want to be like Scott when I'm older," Gordon announced proudly, making Alan move slightly so he could kneel down too. "I want to wear a uniform and help save people!"

Scott reached out and ruffled his hair, swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat. He was extremely touched by Gordon's words, and to his utmost surprise, Dad also looked like he was struggling to control his emotions. Scott shot him a grin and his father winked back.

"Alright, boys," Jeff sniffed before clearing his throat, standing up. "Gather in the lounge, I have something very exciting to share with you."

As the four youngest Tracys made to obey their father, Gordon all but pulling Alan along behind him, John steering Virgil away from Grandma and into the direction of the lounge, the eldest hung back, giving his father a suspicious look, a smile dancing across his lips.

"I'm going to change before you do this, but it's about Spring Break, right?"

"Yes, son, I think it's the perfect time to break the news to you all."

"They're going to love it, Dad," he said, grinning as he embraced his father before sprinting upstairs to change out of his dress uniform. Carefully hanging up his tailcoat and trousers, he pulled on a t-shirt and jeans before hurrying back down.

As he entered the lounge, his brothers were spread across one of the couches, Grandma sitting in the armchair whilst their Dad was stood facing them. Scott sat on the floor in front of his brothers, as their Dad knelt down to their height, his hands on his thighs. The pilot smiled reassuringly at him, nodding when he caught his eye.

"What's happening, Daddy?" Alan asked eagerly, clapping his hands.

"Well, Spring Break is just around the corner-,"

"We're just going to New York again, aren't we?" Virgil asked, visibly disgruntled, giving out a loud yelp upon receiving an elbow from John.

"But New York has the big tall buildings," Gordon rambled. "And-and, we get taken to see the fishes and sharks in the long limziney!"

"Limousine," Scott corrected automatically.

"New York's not that bad, Virgil, remember The Met? You used to love it there!"

"But it's not a vacation though, is it, John? All of our friends go exciting places like to Disneyland and Europe."

"Disneyland!" Alan shrieked.
"Boys!" Jeff called, laughing softly. "It's not New York, I assure you."

Scott couldn't help but smile fondly at his father. He looked a mixture of excited and nervous, hands together at his lips, obviously thinking hard about how to go about telling them the news. All the eldest knew was that it would be a vacation that Virgil was evidently pleading for and not a simple business trip tag-along. But, he realised, he still didn't actually know where. He was as oblivious as his younger brothers.

"Dad?" he asked, prompting the patriarch to continue.

"We are going away for a vacation, and it's somewhere I think you will all enjoy. Gordon," he said, turning to the eleven-year-old. "You can go swimming in the sea."

Scott couldn't help himself, laughing heartily at the look on his water-loving brother's face. Quite literally looking like a fish, his mouth was gaping open in a look of utter surprise and unbelief.

Their father continued. "John, there will be so many opportunities for you to stargaze. We can camp out like you usually do in the summertime, and you'll be able to read as many books as you like. Allie, we can also go to Disneyland if you want to."

Everyone was speechless, too busy taking in their father's words. Grandma was simply beaming from the armchair to their right. Scott's mind was in overdrive, he genuinely had no clue what his father was getting at. The man must have caught his quizzical expression as he turned to him next, sighing with a fond smile.

"Scotty, you'll be able to fly to your heart's content."

"Seriously, Dad, where are we going?" Scott asked and his brothers joined in, asking their father for more information.

"I'm taking you to an island in the South Pacific, that we own because I've bought it," he said, having to raise his voice to be heard over the delighted yells coming from everyone. "I've spent the last year overseeing construction, and it's now our permanent vacation home. We can go there as often as we please, you boys can just be boys and have fun, and we can be a family."

Full of a rush of love and gratitude towards his father, Scott was the first to reach the man as all the boys ran at him, the force knocking him over backwards. There was simply laughter and grins and hugs and ruffling of hair as the Tracys enjoyed the moment.

Scott caught his father's eye and couldn't shake the jaw-splitting grin from his face. They were finally getting a vacation completely away from their daily lives, away from Dad's business ties, where they could just be themselves. Their father had indicated that there was something for each of them on the island, and he'd obviously been working at this in the background while Scott had been nothing but angry at him. Shaking his head in awe as he backed away to tightly hug Grandma, the pilot couldn't help but let a few tears slip.

Dad was right when he'd said it would change their lives forever. This was exactly what they needed.

To be continued

Leave a birthday girl a review?

I was 18 when I first began writing Trouble back in 2013 and then in 2015 after its completion, university sucked everything creative from my soul… I am now officially 23 and it's so great to have the boys talking to me again!

Scott: Like, we'd wish you happy birthday and all but…

Ro: So what's stopping you? *smiles sweetly*

Virgil: It's kind of hard when all you do is put us in a position to get hurt.

Ro: But everything is great for now, right? This chapter was adorable, there's nothing to worry about!

Scott: Emphasis on "for now."

Virgil: We don't really trust you…

Ro: Okay, I'm sorry. Kind of. Maybe. Slightly. You know I love you, yeah? Look, you get to go on an amazing holiday soon, so you can't complain at me that much!

Scott: I kind of wish you'd have written the Parade in though, I was actually looking forward to reading that.

Ro: Hushhh, I tried and you full-well know it. All the military details you blather on about go completely over my head! The fact you did it is important enough right now, you know as well as I do the main focus was actually Virgil.

Scott: *folds arms and raises eyebrows*

Virgil: Come on, Scotty, we have to go and pack! Happy birthday, Ro!

Ro: *beams* Thanks, boys!