Thanks to Jeff paying the extra, Grandma and the boys get fast tracked onto the plane, and are seated in their first class, private compartment with the minimum of fuss, and not for the first time she is grateful for Jeffs billions!
The area they have been shown too has 6 squishy, comfortable seats, which recline back into sleeping pods, with pillows and blankets provided for the airline's VIP guests. There is also a mini fridge, with complimentary champagne for Grandma, which she has definitely earned! and a selection of cold drinks and snacks, which will all be gone by the time they land.
Alan and Gordon fight over the window seat, Gordon winning when Grandma grabs Alan and orders him into the middle seat.
"This is nicer than Dads jet" John announces, sinking back into a chair in between Alan and Scott and getting his book back out of his bag.
"Agreed" Scott tells him rummaging in the fridge and pulling out a bottle of coke. "We need to talk dad into an upgrade!"
Gordon has settled into the chair by the window, and got the squid out of his bag so he can look out, setting him on his shoulder, his tentacles draped over his shoulder, Virgil's hoodie still tied around his waist.
"Grandma? Can we go and explore the rest of the plane yet?" Alan asks.
"Wait until we have taken off, and the seat belt signs have been turned off, and you do not go alone. You can only go IF Scott or Virgil agree to go with you." Grandma replies.
"Yeah Allie or Grandma will throw you out the airlock!" Gordon tells him, an evil grin on his face.
"Grandma?" Alan replies fearfully.
"Gordon! No, I won't, but you sneak away Allie and I will do something far worse" She assures him, an evil grin of her own flashes at him.
"Worse?" Alan asks.
"I will tell your dad!" She tells him.
"Yeah that's worse" Gordon tells her laughing. "Hey Virg?" he asks, changing the subject.
"Yeah" Virgil replies, looking up from the safety sheet he was reading.
"Come here a sec"
Virgil sighs, getting up and walking to Gordons seat.
"While you are on your feet, grab me a drink" He tells him.
"I wasn't on my feet" Virgil replies indignantly.
"Really? How many times a week do you fall for that?" Scott asks him, laughing at the look on Virgil's face.
"Usually about 3 or 4" John tells him also laughing.
Virgil gives up and gets the drink, getting himself one at the same time, before returning to his seat.
Grandma has watched the exchange with amusement, John is right, Virgil falls for that trick every single time! Sipping her champagne, relaxing for the first time all day. All five of the grandsons are strapped into their seats ready for take off and they know the consequences for any further misbehaviour. Yes, she thinks, this is going to be the easier part of the trip.
Jeff has hired an air steward just for the family, and he has entered their area to give the safety talk.
"We know all this already" Alan tells him rudely before he has time to start. "Our daddy lets us fly all the time, so you don't need to bother with it"
"So much for easy" Grandma thinks rolling her eyes.
"Alan, apologise for your attitude now" she tells him, trying to remain calm and not raise her voice.
"But it is true, I could do this job blind folded with my hands tied behind my back!" he replies.
"Can we do that Grandma?" Gordon asks.
"NO!" She replies. "Alan, if you don't apologise, I am adding this to the list of things I am telling your dad, and you know he doesn't accept any excuses for rudeness"
"Sorry" Alan replies, his voice lacking any sincerity.
"Now Ghastly Grandchild 4 has shut up, you can continue" John tells him, giving the steward his undivided attention.
"Thanks, I think!" he replies.
"I am Dave, your dad has asked me to be your personal flight attendant, I request your full attention for my safety demonstration, you may have heard this before but it is vitally important that you pay attention, I will try to make it quick so you can relax and enjoy your flight.
"When the seat belt sign illuminates, you must fasten your seat belt. Insert the metal fittings one into the other, and tighten by pulling on the loose end of the strap. To release your seat belt, lift the upper portion of the buckle. We suggest that you keep your seat belt fastened throughout the flight, as we may experience turbulence.
There are several emergency exits on this aircraft" Dave pauses to point these out to them. "However, this section of the aircraft has a designated emergency exit, which is located behind Gordons seat. If we need to evacuate the aircraft, floor-level lighting will guide you towards the exit. Doors can be opened by moving the handle in the direction of the arrow. Each door is equipped with an inflatable slide which may also be detached and used as a life raft."
"Can we use it as a slide when we get off the plane in New Zealand" Gordon interrupts him.
"No Gordon, you can't" Grandma tells him, planting her face in her hands. "Please carry on Dave" she asks him, ignoring the pout on Gordon's face.
"Thank you, Mrs Tracy. Oxygen and the air pressure are always being monitored. In the event of a decompression, an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you. To start the flow of oxygen, pull the mask towards you. Place it firmly over your nose and mouth, secure the elastic band behind your head, and breathe normally. Although the bag does not inflate, oxygen is flowing to the mask. If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person. Keep your mask on until a uniformed crew member advises you to remove it."
"In the event of an emergency, please assume the bracing position. (Lean forward with your hands on top of your head and your elbows against your thighs. Ensure your feet are flat on the floor.)"
"A life vest is located in a pouch under your seat or between the armrests. When instructed to do so, open the plastic pouch and remove the vest. Slip it over your head. Pass the straps around your waist and adjust at the front. To inflate the vest, pull firmly on the red cord, only when leaving the aircraft. If you need to refill the vest, blow into the mouthpieces. Use the whistle and light to attract attention. Also, your seat bottom cushion can be used as a flotation device. Pull the cushion from the seat, slip your arms into the straps, and hug the cushion to your chest."
"Gordon won't need it, he can swim" Alan interrupts proudly.
"in case of an emergency, landing in the water, it might not matter how well you can swim Alan" Dave tells him seriously. Before continuing. "At this time, your portable electronic devices must be set to 'airplane' mode until an announcement is made upon arrival."
"Scotty you have to stop texting your new girlfriend now" Gordon tells him grinning.
"I don't have a girlfriend Squid; you wrecked my last relationship remember?!" Scott tells him.
"Buy I thought you were popular and would just get another one from the waiting list in your room?" Gordon queries.
"That is not a waiting list, it is a list of guests for the football team party dad is letting me throw in October after the homecoming game." Scott tells him rolling his eyes. "And how many times do I have to tell you to stay out of my stuff?"
"Well it has been at least a thousand, but seeing as I never listened to you before, what makes you think I am going to break a habit of a lifetime and start now?!" Gordon tells him grinning.
"Stop it, both of you" Grandma tells them. How she ever thought the flight would be easy is now beyond her wildest dreams.
"Can I finish now?" Dave asks.
"Yes please" Grandma replies.
"Thank you, finally I would like to remind you that this is a non-smoking flight. Tampering with, disabling, or destroying the smoke detectors located in the lavatories is prohibited by law."
"That's okay daddy said he would kill me if I smoked" Alan interrupts.
"Good, because smoking is very bad for you, and you should never start." Dave tells him seriously.
"You will find this and all the other safety information in the card located in the table in the middle. I strongly suggest you read it before take-off. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask either one of our crew members, or myself. I wish you all an enjoyable flight." Finally, he is finished.
"I can't read" Alan tells him, poking his tongue out behind Dave's retreating back, which luckily for him was not spotted by his grandma.
"Just look at the photos" John tells him picking up his copy and reading it through.
"Do we really have to sit here for the whole flight?" Alan asks.
"You can sit there until you learn to behave" Grandma tells him.
"Wow, sorry Allie, looks like you live in that seat now, we will see you at the end of the summer when we go home!" Gordon tells him laughing.
"GORDON!" Grandma shouts, glaring at the unrepentant child, finally losing her temper.
"Yes Grandma", he replies innocently.
"Oh, forget it, all of you just sit there quietly until we take off". she tells him, starting on her second glass of champagne.
"You didn't answer my question" Alan whines.
"If you behave then no but keep this attitude up and yes you will sit in that chair until we land" She replies.
"But I get to come with you to the Island, I don't have to live on the plane forever?" he asks.
"Of course not, you know you don't have to believe everything your brothers tell you Allie" Grandma tells him.
"Gordon said you would say that, and that you were lying" Alan replies.
Gordon is watching the exchange between his Grandma and brother with a smirk on his face. Of course Alan will listen to everything he says, he has his little brother well trained. Just like he has Virgil well trained. Scott and John are lost causes, but Alan and Virgil. They're his.
"I give up" Scott, be a dear and get your old Grandma another bottle of champagne, I get the feeling I am going to need it!"
"Once we have taken off and the seat belt sign has been switched off, sure" Scott replies easily. Determined to keep on her good side, so she maybe forgets that he smacked Alan.
"Thank you Scott" She replies.
"Cabin Crew please take your seats for take-off" the captain announces.
"Hey Grandma" Gordon pipes up.
"What now?!" She thinks.
"What's wrong Gordo", she replies out loud. Pleased with her show of patience.
"Nothing, I just want to know what movies are on this flight" he asks.
It is John who answers him. "A full collection of Disney classics is available for your pleasure, also tv boxsets covering a wide variety of genres and interests which can be selected from the menu at any time once the captain has given the all clear. If you didn't want to watch TV, there is also Spotify available for music and podcasts at no extra cost"
"How do you know that? And why do you sound like an advertising brochure?" Virgil asks.
"it was all explained in the flight magazine I read while you were fighting over the seats" John replies with a shrug.
"Awesome, can we watch Finding Nemo?" Gordon asks.
"Sure" Grandma replies, anything to keep him happy and not fighting with his brothers is okay with her.
"OOOH I THINK WE ARE MOVING!" Alan shouts, suddenly excited, as the plane starts to taxi towards the runway.
"Duh" John mutters under his breathe, silenced by a glare from Grandma.
Alan suddenly wishes he had won the battle for the window seat with Gordon, but he knows if he moves now, he will get into even more trouble. They are all forced back into their seats as the G-Forces from the take off come into effect, and finally they are in the air.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Firstly I would like to welcome you aboard flight 4414 to Auckland. Please note that the fasten your seatbelt sign is still in operation while we take off. we will be in Auckland in around 16 hours' time. I wish you all a pleasant flight, and don't hesitate to contact one of our flight attendants should you need anything. I would like to remind you that smoking is not permitted onboard the aircraft at any time." A voice announces over the loudspeaker.
"16 hours!" Alan replies "But that's a whole day. I can't sit still for a whole day!" He announces.
John sighs, his brothers are so uneducated! "Actually it is 2 thirds of a day, a whole day is 24 hours. You were right about one think, you couldn't last 16 minutes of sitting still let alone a whole 16 hours"
"Grandma, Johnny is picking on me!" He complains.
"John stop it, Alan be quiet!" She replies. Draining the glass of champagne, just as the fasten seat belt sign is switched off.
Scott jumps up, anticipating her need for more champagne. And getting a second bottle from the fridge, replacing it with one of the room temperature ones needing to chill.
"Thank you dear, right now you are my favourite!" She tells him appreciatively.
"Does that mean I can have some?" Scott replies hopefully.
"Absolutely not!" She replies laughing.
Quietly they all settle into their own activities. Gordon and Virgil both decide to watch Finding Nemo, the original and then the live action. Scott sets Cars up on Alans screen for him, and asks it to auto play both sequels, while he joins John in reading a book, as there is a large selection of E-Books to choose from.
To Grandmas surprise the next 2 hours pass peacefully and she even slows down her drinking! She finds herself drifting off to sleep, and before she even knows it is snoring contentedly.
She is still asleep when both Gordons movies have finished, Virgil Scott and John are all asleep now too and it is only Alan and himself awake.
"Hey Allie, wanna have some fun?" He asks him mischievously.
Alan, not wise enough to know that fun usually means trouble nods enthusiastically.
Gordon gets his markers from his bag and hands the black one to Alan.
"Draw a kitty on Johns face" he orders his youngest brother.
"What are you going to do?" Alan asks.
"Make Scotty into Harry Potter, with a scar and glasses. Then I am going to make Virgil into a pirate" Gordon replies, climbing on to the arm of Scott's chair, and removing the lid from the pen.
Just 20 minutes later, all three of his sleeping brothers are works of art, and Gordon has taken photos with his camera for prosperity.
"Now what Gordy?" Alan asks.
"We raid the fridge for snacks" Gordon replies, his leadership skills are really getting good he thinks happily.
They are sitting on the floor, happily eating their way through the fridges contents, when Grandma starts to stir. Stretching she looks at her watch and realises she has been asleep for hours. And that all 5 boys are still in their section and have not wandered off.
"Hi Grandma" Alan greets her. "Gordon said he was in charge while you all slept and he kept me entertained by letting me draw and now we are having a snack" he replies, quickly catching her up.
"What did you draw?" she starts to ask, stopping at "What did y-" when she spots their brothers faces and lets out a snort of laughter.
"Boys! That was not an acceptable drawing surface!" she tells them, desperately trying to keep a straight face. "Your brothers are going to be very angry when they wake up" she tells them.
"Maybe we should let them sleep then?" Gordon suggests.
"They won't be asleep forever Gordo, and you and Alan will have to face the consequences at some point, if I were the 2 of you, I would be very apologetic when they discover what you have done" she advises them.
Scott is the first to wake up. And his screams wake Virgil and John.
"I WILL KILL THE PAIR OF THEM!" Scott shouts, looking at his face in the mirror.
Alan is cowering in the corner while Gordon is lying on the floor laughing so hard there are tears streaming down his face.
Scott pounces on Gordon and starts to tickle him. Which causes him to laugh harder.
"S-s-stop it Sc-sc-scotty" he stammers, trying to stop his laughter.
"Beg me for mercy Squid" Scott tells him still tickling his sides relentlessly.
"Let me up!" he cries, starting to struggle against Scott's hold on him.
"Beg" Scott repeats.
"Y-you're hurting m-m-me" Gordon replies, this isn't fun any longer.
"Scott get off him" Virgil tells him.
Scott stands up, placing his foot on Gordons chest, not hard enough to hurt but it stops him from getting up. Gordon is crying now, and Alan is still watching from the corner terrified of what Scott is going to do to him.
"Go and wash your face Potter!" Virgil tells him pushing him off Gordon and helping him to sit up. "It was just a joke, jeez Scott, get a sense of humour, I think I make a wonderful pirate, don't you Grandma" he asks.
Scott marches to the toilets without another word, John following him to get rid of his too.
"You okay Gords?" Grandma asks him.
"Yeah, I'm fine" He replies still shaking slightly. Alan crawls over to join them on the floor, and the three of them help Gordon to back to his chair.
"Are you sure you are okay Gordon?" Grandma asks again.
Still teary, Gordon nods.
"I will talk to Scott for you okay?" She tells him.
Again Gordon only nods, his head buried on Virgil's shoulder, who has squashed himself into the seat next to him. Alan climbs onto Virgil's lap, using his big brother for protection.
Scott is not surprised to find grandma waiting for him to emerge from the toilet. Luckily, the ink came off easily and was not permanent marker!
"Is he okay?" Scott asks, he never wanted to hurt Gordon. No matter how angry he was.
"He will be fine, but you went too far Scott. He is a lot smaller than you, and you could have badly hurt him" She tells him, the tone of her voice clear to Scott that she is not accepting any excuses.
Scott doesn't have any to offer. Only his apologies.
"I am really sorry" He replies, realising that this is the second time in a day he is apologising for hurting one of his brothers.
"Don't tell me, tell him" Grandma replies. Placing her arm around his shoulders, and the other one around John who has also now come out the toilet, his face scrubbed clean, and they walk back to the seating area.
"Sit down you two" Grandma tells Scott and John before taking up position in front of the 5 of them, happy that they chose to obey her and not try to fight this.
"I have just about had enough of today. From now on I am laying down the law. There will be no revenge pranking. Gordon, Alan you will apologise to your brothers. Scott you will apologise to Gordon, and then we will choose a movie and watch it as a family while we have dinner, which is due to be served shortly, there will be no complaints about the food, and after it has been eaten we will choose a game to play and then you will all go to sleep. Any questions?" she asks, getting none she smiles. "Good, now apologies. Virgil, go and wash your face please"
Virgil really likes being a pirate, but he knows better than to argue when grandma is in this mood. Alan lets him get up.
"I am sorry Virgil, Scott and John" Alan tells them sincerely. Even though he still thinks it was a good joke.
"Yeah me too" Gordon adds quietly, still not convinced that Scott is not planning to pound him.
"Gordon?" Scott tries, picking him up from the seat, and hugging him tightly. "I am sorry Gords. Are you sure you are okay?" he asks. Hating himself as his own voice trembles.
"Yeah Scotty I'm fine" he insists.
"Where did I hurt you?" he asks.
"Your bony knee in my stomach" Gordon replies.
"My knees are not bony!" Scott tells him laughing now, setting him back down on the floor.
"What is for dinner?" Scott asks Grandma, not giving Gordon a chance for further retaliation.
"No idea, your dad ordered it ahead of the trip" she replies, opening up a third bottle of champagne.
Dinner is served by Dave their flight attendant, and was pizza, which is one of the foods they will never argue over! Providing the toppings are correct. Scott lets Gordon choose the movie and is subjected to Shark Tale for what feels like the millionth time, but he doesn't complain. He promised Grandma no more fighting and he is determined to make it up to her, he has been every bit the ghastly grandchild John accused him of being and he hates himself for it.
*TB*
Darkness has fully fallen by the end of the movie, and Alan is fast asleep in Grandmas arms with Gordon in Virgil's almost asleep too.
"Scott get the beds ready, and we will let these two get some sleep, then how about a grown-up game or film!" Grandma tells him.
"He is cute when he is asleep Grandma" Scott tells her as he lifts Gordon, who is now fully asleep, out of Virgil's arms and into the freshly prepared bed. Tucking the plush Squid into the blanket with him and planting a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"Believe it or not you all are, even you Scotty!" Grandma tells him as she does the same for Alan.
John is looking at the games on the shelf. "Can we play Scrabble?" He asks.
"Nope" Virgil replies. "You are too good for us and you know it!"
"Trivial pursuit then?"
"Again nope!" Scott adds laughing.
"Monopoly?"
"That has possibilities, with Gordon asleep we might have a chance of winning. He is way too good at games which involve capitalism and bankrupting your family!" Grandma tells them.
"What versions do they have?" Scott asks.
"MotoGP, Harry Potter or Star Wars" John replies.
"Star Wars" Scott and Virgil reply in unison.
"Individual or teams?" John asks.
"Teams, that way if Gords wakes up I can claim him for my team" Virgil replies laughing.
They decide on Virgil and John versus Scott and Grandma, or as Virgil called them oldies versus young ones, which earned him a glare from both Scott and Grandma.
Settling down into the ritual of family monopoly an hour and a half passes peacefully, a few quiet arguments over property arising which are quickly quelled with a look from Grandma when they are interrupted by Alan.
"Grandma?" he asks. His hair is sticking up, and his pyjama top has half come undone. His eyes aren't fully open, and he looks ready to fall asleep on his feet.
"What is it Allie?" she asks.
"I need the toilet" he tells her.
"I will take him" Virgil replies, taking his hand "come on Sprout. John, make sure the opposition don't try to cheat" he adds with a grin.
"Will do Virg!" John replies grinning back.
Virgil gets Alan to the toilet and back to bed without him ever fully waking up. "How much longer Virgy?" He asks, his eyes already closing.
"About 7 hours Allie, try to get some more sleep okay?" he replies, stroking his hair soothingly.
"Mmm" Alan replies.
He will not be able to recollect this conversation when he's fully awake, Virgil thinks as he gets back to the game.
3 hours later they are still going, deadlocked into a stalemate that none of them are able to break. They have been in the air for 11 hours now. John is almost asleep at the table, unwilling to admit he is tired or concede defeat. Picking up on his state Grandma does it for him.
"How about we pick this up later, I don't know about you boys, but I could use some more sleep" She tells them, looking mainly at John who smiles gratefully back at her.
*TB*
The 6 of them are all still asleep when the captain announces that it is time to prepare the cabin for landing. Gordon is no longer in his bed but in Virgil's, who has his arms wrapped around him and no idea when he joined him.
Slowly they wake up, putting the beds back into there seating positions. And getting dressed out of pyjamas and into proper clothing. Gordon refuses to give up the hoodie.
Landing, packing up their stuff and getting off the plane goes just as smoothly as getting on did, much to Grandmas surprise.
There is a cold wind whistling around the airport when they climb down the stairs, and Gordon knows that the hoodie was the best idea he has ever had!
They have to wait for their luggage to arrive, but finally they are free from the airport, and together they walk out to the arrivals lounge, where someone is waiting for them with a huge smile plastered on their face.
"DADDY!" Gordon and Alan yell, abandoning their suitcases and running across the floor and into his waiting arms. John, Virgil and Scott turn to look at Grandma longing to join their younger brothers but are going to be a lot more mature about it.
"Go on" she tells them grinning.
They don't need to be told twice, leaving her to drag 6 suitcases they too race over to their father. And are greeted with a huge smile and a hug.
Jeff leads them back to Grandma and their luggage.
"How was it mom?" he asks.
"Put it this way Jeff" she tells him smiling.
"You are taking them home!"