Disclaimer: I don't own the Thunderbirds or the Tracys with the exception of Sam.
A/N: Thanks to those that continue to read and review. Bluegrass, thanks for giving me some technical advice. Hopefully, this chapter reflects good advice put to use. Lillehafrue, thanks for just being there to discuss ideas with and to whine to when I'm feeling overwhelmed.
Standard warning for my story: Adult subject matter that may not be suitable for all readers.
Chapter 9
"Morning, Honey." Sam pulled the blankets over her head and tried to go back to sleep. A sharp tug on the blankets and sunlight flooded her face. Grimacing against the sudden light, she pulled her pillow over her head.
"Samantha, you have to get up," said Alex. "We're supposed to take the kids to their first day of preschool today." He grabbed her pillow and all remaining blankets from her reach.
"Don't want to get up," she muttered. "Drank too much last night." Squinting up at Alex, she cautiously stood up and bolted to the bathroom. Kneeling down on the cool tiles of the bathroom floor, she heaved the contents of her stomach into the toilet. When she was done, she laid down on the floor. Alex had followed her and watched in amusement. Sam opened one eye and saw him grinning.
"How much did you and John drink last night? Catie says he is in the same condition as you," he asked. With a sigh, Sam slowly sat up.
"I matched him drink for drink but I lost count after the sixth round of whatever he ordered," she whispered. "Ow, my head hurts." Even in a soft tone, it sounded as if she were yelling. She held out a hand for Alex to help her stand. He pulled her to her feet and led her to the shower. Not even taking the time to remove her pajamas, she stepped into the stall and started the water. Groaning miserably, she stripped off her clothes and took a proper shower. By the time she had dressed and came out of her room everyone had gone downstairs except John. They saw each other in the hallway and shook their heads.
"Why did we do this to ourselves?" he asked. Sam put her arm around his waist and sighed.
"Cus we're nuts," she answered. Slowly maneuvering down the stairs, they eventually joined their family in the dining room
"Mommy, we start school today?" asked Lucy excitedly. John and Sam winced at her voice and slumped down in chairs next to each other. Catie and Alex grinned at each other. It wasn't often that they got to see their spouses like this. Alex set a mug of tea in front of Sam and Catie set a mug of hot cocoa in front of John. When the twins got a whiff of their drinks, they both ran to the bathroom. Sam leaned over the sink and John was on his knees gripping the sides of the toilet. Johnny poked his head into the bathroom and ran back out to his dad.
"Mommy sick in the sink, Daddy," he said. "Uncle Johnny sick in the potty. Is gross!" Mikey and Ben followed Johnny back to the bathroom and went up to their mother.
"Mommy, 'k?" they asked. Sam rinsed out the sink and her mouth. John's stomach had finally stopped rebelling and he carefully stood up and flushed the toilet. He took the glass of water that Sam offered him and rinsed his mouth out.
"Sam, we have to go now," called Alex from the dining room. Closing her eyes, she muttered exactly where he could go. John patted her arm empathetically. Mikey and Ben each grabbed her hands and led her to the kitchen. Alex and Nicole had already taken Johnny and Lucy and all of their backpacks to the SUV. John and Catie would be staying at the house while Sam took the kids to their first day of preschool. After everyone was fastened in their seats, Alex drove them to the preschool.
Once they entered the building, the three adults were asked for identification.
"Our policy is that no one goes past this desk without showing identification and letting us know which child or children are being picked up until we get to know you," said the receptionist. She looked over the driver's licenses and handed them back. The receptionist looked through a pile of manila folders and pulled four of them out. After a quick glance at each of them, she looked up sharply at Sam.
"Mrs. Murphy, it says on your children's files that their emergency contacts are you, Mr. Murphy, Nicole Mason, and a whole list of Tracys, including Jeff Tracy," she said excitedly. "Are you related to him and his sons?" Samantha sighed and looked at Alex.
"I'm his daughter and the other Tracys listed are my brothers," she replied. "I don't want that information getting out because it puts our children at risk. Please don't say anything else about it."
"Mrs. Murphy, I can assure that this will go no further and that your children will be safe here. My name is Lauren, by the way, if you have any questions," Lauren said. "Let me show you to the classrooms that your children have been assigned." Johnny tightened his grip on Alex's hand while Lucy begged to be picked up. Mikey and Ben grabbed Sam's legs until she bent down and picked them up. Lauren led them to Johnny and Lucy's class first. The care givers for that room introduced themselves and told Sam and Alex about their class and the expectations. Johnny and Lucy looked around at the other children and slowly let go up their dad and joined the other kids. Sam watched them start to play with their new classmates. Mikey and Ben looked around the room while keeping a tight grip on their mother. Lauren led them out of the room with Sam constantly looking back at her son and daughter. Alex offered to take Mikey and was stunned when she tightened her grip and told him no.
When they entered Mikey and Ben's room, Lauren introduced them to the two care-givers. With obvious reluctance, Sam let Alex hold Mikey so that she could shake the hands of the care-givers and introduce and identify their sons.
"This is Ben and my husband is holding Mikey," she said. "Um, to help keep them straight, Ben always wears clothing that has something green on it but Mikey never does."
"Mrs. Murphy, I can tell this is hard for you so if you want you may visit until you are a bit more comfortable," offered Kristin. Sam followed her to one of the play areas and sat Ben down. Mikey squirmed in his dad's arms until he was sat on the floor with his brother. Cautiously, they played with the toys near them while keeping an eye on their parent's location.
"Samantha, we need to leave," Alex said quietly. "They'll be fine here. Nicole will be back to pick them up this afternoon." Fighting back her emotions, she kissed Ben and Mikey before walking towards the door. Kristin sat down next to them and kept them playing while Sam and Alex left the room. Nicole followed behind them. Before the door could close, Ben started crying.
"MOMMY!" His cries tore at Sam's heart and she turned to go back in. Alex held her hand and pulled her away from the door.
"Honey, he's got to adjust," he reminded her quietly yet firmly. They paused at the monitors to see their children. Johnny and Lucy were playing with their classmates. Ben and Mikey were sitting on Kristin's lap and crying.
"I can't leave them," Sam said. "My babies are upset and they need me."
"Mrs. Murphy, it's going to be alright," Lauren told her gently. "The first day is always the hardest but it will get easier on all of you in a few weeks." Nicole wrapped her arm around Sam and led her to the SUV. Over the past month, Sam had realized what a good person Nicole was and had accepted her into the family. Virgil had called several times asking about her so Sam really saw no alternative but to accept her. She had a feeling that they would need a new nanny before long. An unusual quietness permeated the SUV during the drive home. Sam slowly walked into the house and up the stairs to change for work. John was in the guest room and saw his twin walking towards her room. Her bedroom door closed and he heard her soft cries. With a slight groan, he stood up and headed to her room. He softly knocked on the door and called her name. A few minutes later, the door opened and he walked in. Sam was putting on her jacket and shoes as her tears dripped off her chin. No words were said as he closed the distance between them and he held her close as her tears continued to fall.
"Sammie, they're growing up," he said quietly. "We grew up and we still need our dad and grandmother. Johnny, Lucy, Mikey, and Ben are always going to need you and Alex even when they don't think so. Dry your tears and go wash your face. Catie and I'll come up to the office today to have lunch with you and Alex." With a desolate smile, she went to her bathroom and washed her face and reapplied her makeup. John waited on her and together they walked downstairs. Catie, Nicole, and Alex were sitting at the dining room table, talking about the kids.
"John, you and Catie can have the car if you take us to work," Alex said. "Nicole will need the SUV to pick the kids up. Nicole, we'll be home about 5:30 this evening. We have our pagers and cell phones on if you need to get in touch with us."
"Catie, looks like we're chauffeuring my baby sister and brother-in-law to work," John teased. Sam groaned and went back to her office and grabbed her briefcase and purse.
"Nicole, never mind. You know how to do your job," Sam said before walking into the garage. John and Catie dropped Alex and Sam off at the entrance to the building. Sam and Alex went to her office. Jessica stopped Sam as she walked by.
"Samantha, Mr. Tracy called and he said it was important for you to call him back via vidphone," she said. "Also, a gentleman by the name of Gordon has requested that you call him also."
"Thanks, Jessica," Sam replied. Hurrying into her office and shrugging out of her suit's jacket, she sat down at her desk and dialed her dad's office number. He answered before Sam could even set her purse down and grab a pen and paper.
"Where have you been?" he demanded angrily. "Several of your managers have called and said that you failed to show up for a meeting." Glancing down at her calendar, she noted that there were no meetings listed. She had purposely kept the morning free so that she could take her children to school with Alex.
"What meeting did I fail to show up for?" she shot back just as angrily. Leaning back in her chair, her actions mirrored those of her dad's. Alex stood quietly off to the side after locking the office door and watched the legendary Tracy attitude rear its ugly head between father and daughter.
"The meeting of managers and team leaders that Ms. Barnes set up," he snapped.
"When did she schedule this so-called meeting?" she asked. "According to my calendar there was nothing scheduled because Alex and I took the kids to their first day of preschool. I purposely kept the morning free of meetings and appointments." It was Jeff's turn to look surprised. He immediately dialed up all the managers for a conference call. One by one they answered their vidphone.
"Good morning, everyone," Sam said politely. Her politeness only hid her anger and Alex was nervous that she'd tell her managers to stuff it. "Evidently, several of you have called Mr. Tracy because I failed to show for a scheduled meeting. Ms. Barnes, you are at the top of the list and you're the one that scheduled the meeting, correct?"
"Yes, I did schedule the meeting and yes I did call Mr. Tracy when you failed to show up for such an important meeting," she answered.
"May I ask when you scheduled this meeting?" Sam asked.
"I scheduled it yesterday morning via email," Ms. Barnes replied.
"Ms. Barnes, please look at your computer and tell me if you see me as a recipient of that email," requested Sam. "Also, please read the email I sent everyone on Monday regarding today's date. Everyone except for Ms. Barnes, I'm sorry we have disturbed you but this conference call no longer concerns any of you. Good day." The other managers hung up and Sam waited for Ms. Barnes response.
"I, um, don't see your name as a recipient of the email, Mrs. Murphy," she replied quietly, aware that Mr. Tracy was glaring at her. "As for the email that you sent, it states that you would be out of the office until mid to late morning and that no meetings should be scheduled during that time." She swallowed nervously while she waited for her bosses to comment.
"Did you read my email before you scheduled this meeting?" Sam asked.
"I must have overlooked it, Ma'am," Ms. Barnes answered. "I apologize for my oversight and jumping the gun so to speak."
"Ms. Barnes, I will let this pass this time but if you have an issue with me then I'm the one you need to talk to. Not Mr. Tracy or the other managers, me. Do I make myself clear?" When Ms. Barnes answered, Sam told her to reschedule the meeting for the following Wednesday after ten in the morning. Ms. Barnes hung up and Sam looked at her dad.
"I apologize for jumping to conclusions," he said. "I just thought that you hadn't time managed your schedule well and overlooked the meeting."
"If that's all, I need to make a few other calls," Sam replied. Her tone still held a sharpness and Jeff and Alex knew that she was beyond angry. When her dad didn't reply, she hung up. Alex brought her a mug of tea and sat down in one of the chairs in front of her desk. Sam smiled gratefully at him and took a sip of her tea before putting a call through to Gordon.
"Hey Gordy, I got your message," she said when he answered his private line. His grin warned her that he had played a prank on one of their brothers and he was waiting for the response. "What did you do now and to which brother?"
"Sis, I'm hurt that you'd think like that," he chuckled. "Alan and let's just say…ah the sweet sound of success. Gotta run!" He cut the connection and Sam sat back, shaking her head.
"And to think, Scott says our house is noisy," she mused. "What are you up to today?"
"One of the researchers is trying to come up with a way to keep the engines cooler than they're reading right now," Alex replied. He was excited about working again and he had a lot of areas that he could tinker in with Jeff's blessing. Sam smiled softly at his excitement.
"Shouldn't you be going then?" she asked. Alex came around her desk and leaned down to kiss her. Unable to resist, he whistled softly. Sam noticed that he was staring down her blouse. Giggling at his behavior, she swatted at him.
"Tonight?" he asked, raising his eyebrows mischievously. She gazed up at him and raised her hand to his groin.
"Why not now?" she retorted. He stared down at her in surprise and groaned when her hand caressed his obvious arousal. He gently cupped one of her breasts and kissed her. He was torn between wanting her and going down to the research area of the building. Reluctantly, he pulled away and frowned.
"As much as I want you right now, we both need to work," he said. Sam stood up and put her arms over his shoulders. Rubbing against him, she murmured something that had him moaning in response. "S-Sa-mantha, oh gawd." He crushed his lips against hers and sat down in her chair with her straddling his lap.
"Jessica, I'm going to be unavailable for calls or appointments for the next half hour," Sam said into her phone's intercom. She hung up as soon as Jessica responded. Alex was busy unbuttoning her blouse and kissing her. Once Sam had unfastened his pants and squirmed out of her underwear, Alex entered her and groaned deep in his throat. Sam lifted a bit and came back down on him. His hands helped her keep up a steady rhythm. His mouth sought her breasts and the sensation was pushing Sam over the edge.
"A-Alex, oh baby," she moaned twirling her fingers in his hair. Her quiet urgings to go faster were instantly met and she crushed her lips against his as they both released. Alex groaned when Sam rose up and came back down on him.
"Samantha, that was excellent," he sighed. She smiled down at him while buttoning her blouse. She carefully stood up and pulled her underwear back on. Alex straightened himself and zipped his pants.
"Now go make some money," she said. "And no sleeping on the job or I'll have to tell the boss and who knows what she'll do to you."
"I can't wait for her to show me," he teased back. Standing up, he kissed her again and then took a drink of her tea.
"Oh, John and Catie will be here around noon to pick us up for lunch," she reminded him. "If I can keep my calendar clear, we should be able to leave here by four." She kissed Alex again before he left her office. Sam kept her office door open. Jessica was sitting at her desk and fielding phone calls for Samantha. She had been directed to transfer all calls from the media to the publicist.
A couple of hours later, John and Catie showed up at Jessica's desk.
"We're here to see Samantha Murphy," John informed Jessica.
"I'm sorry but do you have an appointment?" she asked. "Mrs. Murphy does not accept unexpected visitors. John leaned down on Jessica's desk, clearly winding her up.
"I don't need to have an appointment to see her," he replied, his eyes twinkling.
"John, don't frighten Jessica," Sam called from her office. "She's the one that keeps my dates and meetings straight."
"Aww, Sammie, I was having fun," he whined. "Sorry, about that but I'm Sam's twin brother, John and this is my wife Catie. It was nice to meet you but I feel that I should warn you about our brothers."
"I've already met him," Jessica replied.
"Him? Jessica, there is a total of six Tracy siblings," John said. "You have yet to meet Scott, the oldest, Gordon, the prankster, and Alan, the partner in crime for the prankster." Jessica's eyes widened in surprise.
"Jessica, it's alright. John's just winding you up," Catie told her. She and John went into Sam's office and sat down. Sam held her hand up and continued her conversation.
"I don't care that you want an interview," she snapped. "All interviews and media questions are to be handled through the publicist for Tracy Enterprises of San Diego. Please don't call my office directly again." When she had replaced the handset into the cradle, she put her head down on her desk.
"Jessica, I need to speak to you for a moment." Sam stood up and went to Jessica's desk.
"What's wrong, Samantha," she asked timidly. Leaning against the desk, Sam smiled down at Jessica.
"Calm down, Jessica," she ordered kindly. "Has my direct number leaked out to the media? I just got a call requesting an interview…son of a…sorry Jessica." Sam ran back to her office and called Gordon's line. He answered after a few rings.
"You little shit," she yelled. "That was not funny and if you ever do that again, I will kick your ass." John and Catie could hear someone laughing. Slamming the phone down, she glowered at if for a moment and sighed.
"Even two hours away, he still finds a way to drive me crazy," she muttered.
"Hey, Sis, we're kind of hungry," John said. She glanced up at him and nodded.
"Jessica, can you call down to the research area and have Alex meet us in the lobby?" she asked. Grinning at his wife and sister, John offered each of them an arm.
"Wow, I get to take two beautiful women to lunch," he quipped. Catie and Sam looked at each other and stood up on their tiptoes to kiss him on his cheeks. He blushed slightly at the affection being shown but loved it none the less. Alex was waiting on them when they got to the lobby.
"Aww, does this mean I have to share now?" John whined.
"Sorry, John, but Sam's mine now," he replied before kissing Sam and grabbing her hand in his.
"Guess I'll just have to double up on the affections for my wife," John said. He scooped Catie up in his arms and carried her out to the car. Sam and Alex followed behind, laughing at them. John drove them to a nice restaurant and the four of them had a wonderful lunch before Alex and Sam had to return to the office.
"Be back here around four this afternoon," Alex said. He and Sam went their separate ways when they entered the lobby. Jessica handed Sam a stack of messages when she walked by.
"Thanks, Jessica, I think," she said. "Who is this?" Jessica looked at the message and sighed.
"That is a local charity group that would like to meet with you and Mr. Tracy about being a sponsor," she replied. "Would you like me to send this to the publicist?"
"No that's alright. I'll call Mr. Tracy and speak with him about making a donation," Sam replied. Going into her office, she paused at the coffee maker and poured herself a mug of hot water and then grabbed a tea bag before going to her desk. She began making her calls and lost track of time until Jessica popped in.
"Samantha, John is in the lobby with Alex and Catie," she said. Sam jumped in her seat and looked at her watch.
"Crap, I forgot the time," she muttered. Hurriedly, she shut down her computer and stood up with her mug in her hand. She rinsed it off in the sink and set it next to the coffee pot and switched the machine off. Following behind Jessica, Sam grabbed her purse and jacket. Pulling her door closed behind her and then making sure that it was locked, she bid Jessica a good weekend and told her to clock out and enjoy the time off.
"We were just about to leave you," threatened John. "My niece and nephews are asking for their parents." Sam put her hands on either side of his face and stood up on tiptoe and planted a chaste kiss on his lips.
"Hey, what about me?" whined Alex.
"Johnny, I love you but I have an office job and that unfortunately was a dictator today," she retorted. Turning to her husband, she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him, tilting her head back to kiss him. "I may love my twin brother but I can love you in ways that are way more interesting and fulfilling." John made retching noises next to them as they walked to the car.
"Care to show me tonight?" Alex asked in a mock whisper. John began to hum loudly to drown out the conversation. "It's probably a good thing that John and Catie are on the other side of the house or Catie might get jealous." Sam burst out laughing at her husband's cheekiness. John started to sputter in embarrassment.
"Catie has it good with me so why would she get jealous," he stuttered.
"Hmm, just good and not great?" Alex teased back. Catie looked up at them from the car.
"What's good and not great?" she asked.
"Never mind, Catie," Sam answered. "Alex is teasing John and telling him that it's a good thing you two are on the other side of the house or you might get jealous." Catie grinned at her sister-in-law before leaning against John.
"So I guess tonight I'm going to be one very happy woman," she whispered in John's ear. John's grin grew and with a quick glance around, reached down and grabbed her breast and whispered in her ear.
"It will be just as good as on Five in the anti-gravity room," he whispered softly in her ear. His warm breath sending shivers down her spine. He helped her into the car and closed the door for her. Sam and Alex were already in the backseat and waiting to get home to their children.
Chaos was what greeted them when they all got home. Nicole was trying to keep Johnny off the pool deck and Lucy could be heard in the family room playing the piano. Mikey was looking at a picture book with airplanes and Ben was in Nicole's arms. As soon as he saw Sam he began to cry.
"Mommy, me," he cried. Sam took him from Nicole just in time to see Johnny make a run for the patio doors. John caught him by the back of his shirt.
"Where do you think you're going?" John asked.
"Uncle Johnny, me want to swim," he answered. "Me no swim today."
"Later, Johnny, we'll go swimming," Catie told him. Ben was quieting down in Sam's arms and had his head on her shoulder with his hand wrapped in her hair and his thumb in his mouth. Mikey had stood up and walked to Alex.
"Daddy, up," he demanded. Alex picked him up and held him close to him.
"Did you miss Mommy and Daddy today?" Alex asked. Mikey nodded his head and pointed to Ben.
"Bubby cwy," he said. Ben had started to fall asleep in his mother's arms when Lucy came running into the dining room.
"MOMMY, you're home," she yelled. Ben started and began to cry again. Sam rubbed his back until he calmed down.
"Hi, Sweetie, how was school today?" Sam asked. She had squatted down to look Lucy in the face.
"Me had fun. We played with toys and read stories," she answered. "Johnny no wetted his bed." Johnny grinned from Aunt Catie's arms.
"Me a big boy and potty in the toilet," he informed them proudly. "Uncle Johnny is sick in the toilet." Sam and Alex burst out laughing at Johnny's comment. "Mommy is sick in the sink. Is gross." He shook his finger in their direction.
"Well, Sis, I think that we've just been told off by your son," John replied.
"It seems that your nephew and godson did just tell us off," she retorted.
"What wrong wif Benny?" asked Lucy. She reached up and patted her baby brother. He looked down at her and held his arms out to her.
"Sissy," he said. Sam helped Lucy hold Ben in her little arms.
"Is alright, Benny. Mommy and Daddy are here," she told him. He leaned his head on her shoulder for a moment and then reached for Sam again. Lucy gave her brother and mother a kiss before going to the kitchen.
"Nic, me hungwy," she complained.
"Dinner will be in just a little while," Nicole told her. "Would you and Johnny like some apple slices and juice?"
"Yes, please," Lucy answered. "Mikey and Benny, too." Nicole carried a plate of apple slices and four sippy cups to the table. Alex sat Mikey in his high chair and fastened him in. Johnny and Lucy climbed up in their booster chairs. Ben sat in Sam's lap to eat his snack. He was very clingy and Sam was inclined to hold him close to her.
"Wuv Mommy," he muttered quietly. Sam's eyes widened at his comment.
"What?" asked Alex.
"He just said," Wuv Mommy," she answered. "He said it just like Johnny did." Sighing softly, she kissed her baby boy. "Mommy loves her baby." Ben grinned up at her and offered her a piece of the apple he was chewing on.
"No thanks, Sweetie," she said. "That just looks gross." John and Catie laughed at her comment. Nicole had sat down at the table with them.
"Their care-givers each sent a paper home to let you know what they did to day and what they ate," she informed her employers. "Johnny had an altercation with another boy who tried to kiss Lucy. Ben stayed by Mikey's side all day long and even slept on the same cot at nap time. He stopped crying but wasn't interested in doing much." Johnny slid out of his chair when he heard Nicole tell on him. Alex looked at his chair and groaned when he saw it was empty.
"JOHNNY! GET BACK IN HERE!" he called. Johnny poked his head around the door.
"What, Daddy?" Johnny asked innocently.
"Did you fight another little boy?" Alex asked.
"YES! Him had him mouth on Lucy," he snapped. "Him mouth no belong on her. Is bad and gross! Him not us." During his tirade, he had walked up to Lucy's side and leaned his head against her leg. "Her my sissy, him no touch." Lucy patted the top of Johnny's head and grinned.
"Johnny my bestest brother," she giggled. She slid out of her booster chair and hugged Johnny. "Love Johnny. Him made icky boy leave." She and Johnny ran from the dining room to the playroom. Mikey looked at Alex and grunted. Sam looked over at their son and smiled back at Alex.
"I think he's got something for you," she commented. Ben looked up at Sam and smiled a toothy smile.
"Potty," he said. John and Catie quickly stood up and helped Nicole clear the snack dishes from the table.
"John, would you like some time with your youngest nephews?" Alex called from the staircase.
"I'm fine," John called back. "I'll spend some time with them later." Ben and Sam followed Alex and Mikey upstairs to their bedroom. Alex hurried and changed Mikey's diaper.
"Mikey, this is gross!" Alex put a clean diaper on him and pulled his pants up. Sam laid Ben down on the changing table and cleaned him up.
"Benny, why do you do that to Mommy?" she asked. She sat him on the floor and disinfected the changing table. Ben wandered into his parent's bedroom and looked out the balcony door. Alex came out of the bathroom and saw him standing there.
"What are you doing, little man?" Ben turned around and toddled to his dad.
"Up, Daddy!" he said. Alex picked him up and looked around the room.
"Samantha, have you seen Mikey?" he called. He looked in Johnny and Lucy's room and then the spare room. He and Sam had just reached the stairs when they heard a series of thumps. Sam screamed and ran down the stairs with Alex behind her. John, Catie, and Nicole came running from the playroom. Mikey lay at the foot of the stairs, motionless.
