"Daddy, I don't want to go on another plane. Can we not stay here instead?" Alan asks, sitting down on top of his suitcase, yawning heavily.
"You want to stay in the airport?" Jeff asks, sitting down next to the exhausted 4-year-old.
"Yeah daddy, I don't want to travel anymore" Alan insists.
"The last flight is only 55 minutes Allie, and if you agree to come with us, I will let you sit in the co-pilots seat" Jeff resorts to bribery.
"Why don't we just leave him here?" Gordon asks. He too is tired and irritable, and not in the mood to be nice to his younger brother.
Jeff ignores him, looking over at Grandma he can see the look of exhaustion on Alan and Gordons faces mirrored in hers.
"Okay boys, we will stay here tonight. Not here Gordon!" he interrupts himself before Gordon can open his mouth, causing his 4th son to glare at him, before carrying on, "I have bought a small house a half mile from here bring your cases, and we will get a taxi over to the house".
"But daddy I can't" Alan insists. "Wanna stay here, I am too tired to move" he whines, unhappily.
Jeff groans, standing up, he hoists Alan up into his arms, getting him settled on his hip. "Better?" He asks, as Alan rests his head on his shoulder and just nods silently.
"Come on you lot, let's get out of here" Jeff tells them. "Scott can you take Alans case?"
Scott takes it without a word and follows his family out the airport and into the cold wintery air.
"Daddy, it's cold out here, can we go home now? I don't like it here anymore" Alan tells him as they wait for the taxi.
"it is winter here" John informs him.
"So it's December? Does that mean its Christmas soon? And my birthday?" Alan asks. Unabashed by Johns hysterical laughter, which even a glare from his father can't stop.
"No Alan, it is only June, the other half of the world to Kansas has the opposite seasons to us, so when it is winter in Kansas it is summer here" his father explains, trying to make it as simple as possible.
"So I am not getting presents?" Alan asks, disappointed now.
"No Allie, not until December" he confirms.
Grandma has her arms around Gordon, who is shivering from the cold, and hasn't even joined in teasing Alan, a pastime he usually can't resist.
"Where is the taxi Grandma?" He asks, not wanting to spend any more time out here than necessary. Even though he got the most sleep on the plane, he too is jet-lagged and cranky.
"Jeff, how long before the taxi gets here?" she asks him.
"Damn, the taxi!" he replies, grabbing his phone and calling up the company he has used since he first flew over to New Zealand.
"Really Jeff?" She tells him in exasperation once he has got off the phone. "I gave you one job!"
Scott and John are both laughing at the mortified look on their fathers' face.
"It will be here in a few minutes" Jeff reassures her.
"QUIET YOU TWO!" Grandma shouts at the still laughing Scott and John. They are immediately silenced, knowing that they may have finally pushed her too far, and she might actually carry out her threat to tell their father about their antics during the journey!
"That's better" She tells them, saved from further confrontation when the taxi pulls up.
"Jeff, a limo? Really?" Grandma replies rolling her eyes.
It is a 16-foot-long, sleek black limousine, and the sight of the car perks up Alan, who struggles out of his dads' grip, jumping up and down in excitement, suddenly wide awake.
Jeff opens the door, and they all pile in. Grandma heading straight for the bar and pouring herself a tall glass of gin.
The journey only takes 10 minutes, but it is enough time for Grandma to finish her drink. The warmth in the car is making them all feel sleepy, Gordon can feel his eyes closing, and he wants to stay here in the warm cosy car snuggled between Virgil and Scott forever.
The house Jeff has invested in is just outside the city centre. A 2-storey brick building with large windows. There is a skylight in the attic, and a small neglected garden in the front of the house.
Jeff opens the front door and his 5 weary children get their first glimpse at the inside.
"I wasn't planning on staying here, so there is no food, but I am sure you guys don't mind ordering in, the bedrooms are upstairs. Go kill each other for the best ones! Jeff tells them, letting them loose to explore.
Grandma collapses onto the sofa happy for some adult time with her only son while the boys explore upstairs.
"How bad was it really mom?" he asks grinning.
"Not that bad, they were just spirited. There were a few mishaps but honestly Jeff it was nothing I couldn't handle! Gordon snuck a live spider into his hand luggage. Alan ran away in the airport, Scott found him got angry and smacked him, which triggered Gordons PTSD, luckily Virgil was there to calm him down. Gordon and Alan also decided it would be a good idea to draw on their brothers while they were asleep on the plane, so Scott enacted his revenge by wrestling Gordon which almost went horribly wrong, when he kneed him in the stomach by accident. Oh and John has labelled them all "Ghastly Grandchild – insert birth order here – apart from himself of course, he's perfect! Honestly, Jeff apart from the spider and Scott hitting Alan, they really didn't behave all that badly" She tells him smiling.
"Were they disciplined?" Jeff asks, hoping the answer is yes as he really does not want them to spend their first days of their vacation grounded.
"I am willing to put it down to having a long day, but I don't want to punish them for being children Jeff, that isn't fair. If you could have a word with Gordon, Alan and Scott I am happy to draw a line under it and let them have a second chance." She replies.
Jeff knows she is right, being harsh with them now would incite rebellion, a rebellion he really would not want to have to quash!
Jeff switches the television on and is just getting comfortable with one of his favourite movies, High Noon, a Western made in 1952, one of the movies his children refuse to sit through!
The opening credits aren't even completed before he is hit with a litany of complaints as the boys burst into the room.
"Not this rubbish again Daddy!" Gordon protests. "We have sorted out the sleeping arrangements. I am sharing with Virgil, Scott is old, so he gets his own room and Alan is going to share with John"
"Where are your Grandmother and I supposed to sleep, there are only 3 bedrooms." Jeff asks them amused. "You guys were going to share the attic room"
"We found you a tent to sleep in, or you can sleep on the sofa and Grandma can have the tent" Gordon replies, deadly serious. "When are you ordering dinner? I am starving" he adds, changing the subject.
"When you boys agree to let your Grandma and I sleep in our rooms" Jeff replies, grinning.
"Okay, but can you turn this rubbish off?" Alan asks, not caring where he sleeps, he just wants food.
"Allie! What happened to keeping a united front?" Gordon asks.
"I am hungry" Alan replies, shrugging his shoulders.
Jeff laughs, he can't help it. These boys are his reason for living.
"Traitor!" Gordon replies, poking his tongue out at Alan.
"Gordon!" Jeff warns. Which is all he needs to say to silence him. Vowing to get the talks over with, Jeff switches the television off, and leads Gordon from the room.
"Daddy no! Bring him back!" Alan cries.
"It's okay Allie, I just want a word. He will be back in a minute. Virgil, can you order dinner please?"
"Sure thing dad" Virgil replies.
Jeff takes Gordon through to the kitchen.
"Your grandma told me about the spider Gordon, would you care to explain?" he asks, once they are settled at the table.
"It was Virgils fault daddy, he wouldn't let me bring the fake one" Gordon replies, "so I got one from the barn, I was only going to use it to prank Virgil"
"You can't take live animals out of the country without a specific license Gordo." Jeff tells him.
"I know that now daddy, Grandma already told me" Gordon tells him.
Jeff lets it go, he knows that Gordon is only sorry he got caught and he doesn't want an argument, and Gordons welfare is more important than a childish prank.
"What happened with Alan and Scott?"
"Allie ran away, when Scott and I found him Scott got angry daddy. Angrier than I have ever seen him, I was so scared when he hit him, I didn't think he was going to stop and on the plane he got angry with me, he hurt me daddy" Gordon tells him.
"I will talk to him Squid, are you sure you are okay?" his dad asks, the use of his nickname a sure sign that he is not in trouble.
"Yeah Daddy I know he didn't mean it, he wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose, Scotty isn't like that" He tells him sincerely.
"Okay Squid, as long as you are okay. Can you send Allie in for me?" his dad asks.
"Is he in trouble?" Gordon asks.
"No, I just need a chat like this one".
"Okay", he replies hopping down from his seat and back into the living room.
"Your turn to be shouted at Allie" Gordon tells him.
"I HEARD THAT GORDO!" Jeff replies.
Alan trembles with trepidation as he enters the kitchen.
"Have a seat Kiddo" his dad tells him. "You aren't in trouble, I just want to make sure you are okay. Grandma told me what happened with Scott at the airport."
Alan approaches the table slowly, sitting in the seat Gordon as recently vacated. "Scotty hit me daddy" he tells him, bursting into tears.
"I am not letting him get away with it, I am planning to talk to him too, remind him of his responsibilities as the eldest, but you can't run off in a strange place Allie, anything could have happened to you back there.
"But I was hungry and Gordy was busy arguing with Grandma and no one was paying me attention" Alan tells him.
"That doesn't make it okay Allie, you know what happened when Gordon went missing, do you really want that to happen to you?" He asks.
"N-n-no" he sniffs in response, his tears already stopped.
"Good boy" Jeff replies. Standing up to give him a cuddle. Alan buries his head in Jeffs neck, a few stray tears escaping, before Jeff puts him back down.
"Ask Scott to pop in please Allie" he asks.
"Okay" Alan replies, "don't be too hard on him daddy he was scared when he hit me"
"I won't be, I promise" Jeff tells him.
The lack of shouting and bawling from the kitchen is some comfort for Scott as he takes his place for his talk with his father.
"I guess you know why I have called you in here Scott?" Jeff asks, his face stern. Despite his promise to his mom, he is angry with Scott.
"I hurt my brothers dad" Scott tells him, his face red with shame and guilt. "I never meant to dad, I swear, I was just angry, and tired. You know I wouldn't do anything like this deliberately, I love them both"
Jeffs anger dissipates instantly when he looks into Scott's sky-blue eyes, so full of sincerity and warmth. His guilt is physically hurting him.
"You won't do anything like this again?" He asks, already knowing what he is going to reply.
"Never, please dad, you have to believe me" Scott begs him for understanding and forgiveness.
"Okay Scott, I am going to let this go, just like I have done for your brothers misdeeds today, but I hear or see you lay a finger on one of your little brothers in anger again Scott and I won't be so lenient" Jeff tells him.
"Yes Sir" Scott replies.
"Come on, lets go and get some food before that lot in there eat the lot" Jeff tells him with a grin.
*TB*
Jeff is surprised when the boys all agree to share the attic without further complaint. Leaving their dad and grandma to take the bedrooms on the first floor.
"This isn't too bad, once you get used to Johns snoring" Scott tells Virgil. The three youngest are all fast asleep, Virgil and Scott are the only 2 still awake.
"This has been the longest day" Virgil tells him.
"Well it has been over 36 hours since we left home Virg, I don't even know what day it is anymore! Scott replies. He is lying on his back on one of the beds, looking up through the skylight at the night sky.
"John would hate living here, the light pollution is blocking the stars" Scott tells him, changing the subject, yawning heavily.
"I would too Scott, I don't think I could get used to the noise from the constant traffic outside, it is nearly midnight and its not fully dark out there. It doesn't feel normal" Virgil tells him.
The only response he gets from Scott is a snort, that turns into a loud grunting snore. Smiling Virgil flicks the lamp off, rolls over onto his side and quietly drifts off to sleep.
*TB*
It is nearly 15 hours before all 5 boys are awake and ready for the final leg of their journey, Jeff and Grandma both deciding to let them sleep as long as necessary.
Jeff has organised a flight leaving Auckland at 8pm. Refreshed from a decent sleep, Gordon is ready for the trip.
"Hey Allie? Want to get back at Scott with me?" He asks.
"Sure Gordy, what are we going to do?" Alan asks.
"Scott is about to take a shower, I wasn't able to pack my food colouring to add to the shower head, but you can sneak in and steal his clothes. I have locked his suitcase so he can't just go and get some more." Gordon tells him, giving him the dangerous job!
Alan nods enthusiastically, he would do anything for Gordon, something he is not afraid to take shameless advantage off!
Alan waits until Scotts singing can be heard, a sure sign that he is in the shower as that is the only place Scott sings. Sneaking into the bathroom, Alan gets the clothes Scott has picked for the journey. Running back downstairs with them and hiding behind the sofa trying hard to remain as quiet as possible.
"I got the towel too Gordy" he whispers after he has joined him.
"Ssshhh Allie" He whispers back, stifling a giggle.
They remain hidden even when they can hear the shouts from upstairs.
"GORDON GET HERE NOW AND BRING MY CLOTHES YOU LITTLE ASSHOLE!"
Jeff groans, and sets to hunting down his prankster son.
Finally, finding him and Alan hiding behind the sofa. Their uncontrollable laughter giving them away.
"Boys!" Jeff tells them. "Take those back to your brother now."
"It was just a joke daddy" Alan tells him.
"I know and it was fairly amusing, but take Scott back his clothes, we have a plane to catch" Jeff reminds him.
"Fine" Alan replies dramatically.
Alan grabs the clothes and towel and runs out the room and up the stairs.
"Delivery Scotty" Alan tells him, throwing the door wide open and dropping the clothes at his feet.
Scott is standing in the middle of the room, water dripping from his body, and if looks could kill Alan would be dead!
"Gordy said this is to teach you not to hit us" Alan tells him seriously. Still standing in the doorway while Scott gratefully grabs the towel.
Scott sighs, as revenge pranks go, that was fairly basic and it could have been a lot worse, he admits to himself.
"Okay, fine. Tell Gordy we are even!"
"Okay" Alan replies happily. Still standing in the doorway.
"Go back downstairs so I can get dressed Allie"
Alan turns to leave, leaving the door wide open.
Grumbling under his breath, Scott slams the door closed and gets dressed, emerging 5 minutes later, throwing the wet towel in their laundry bag and heading downstairs where everyone is waiting for him.
"Glad you have finally decided to join us Scott" Virgil tells him grinning evilly, "and fully clothed too!" he adds as Gordon and Alan dissolve into uncontrollable laughter, and Scott just glares at them all John included even though he has not said a word.
"Break it up boys, we have a plane to catch" Grandma tells them.
"Only if you keep these monsters away from me" Scott tells her, "is that offer of being home-schooled by monks in Timbuktu still an option?"
Alan and Gordon bare their teeth at him, raising their hands above their heads as claws and pretend to attack him.
"We are monsters Scotty!" Alan tells him laughing still.
"Be serious Scott, you would miss them if you went away!" Grandma replies smiling at him.
"Yeah, I really would, who would want a peaceful life when you can have all this!" Scott replies joining in their laughter.
The ride back to the airport is just as smooth, and all too soon they are strapped into their seats on Jeffs plane. Boringly named Tracy 1 by Jeff when he first bought it.
"Boys, take a look out the windows because you are about to get your first sight of your new home!" Jeff tells them.
Even Scott, who has been here before can feel the excitement building up as his brothers gasp at the sight of the rock which has just appeared from nowhere over the horizon.
Coming into land on the small runway, the first thing Jeff built, the boys can't wait to get out and explore.
Gathering them into a group, so he can take their first family photo on their new home Jeff announces proudly:
"Welcome to Tracy Island"