Alan's pov
We pretty much spent the rest of the day at the graveyard; mourning and recounting old memories of my grandmother, my father even added his own memories of when he was a child and the shenanigans he and my grandmother would get into.
My favourite was the one about picture day at school when my gran had used a bowl to cut my dad's hair.
While we were relaxing on the grass Virgil turned his attention towards me.
"Do you think we can have the graves removed, it's kinda daunting to see your name on a slab of stone."
Virgil indicates with his head to the headstone had holds my family's names.
"I suppose so, I'll have to make some calls but I'm sure we could."
I mean we already own the 6 lots that all lay next to one another.
Dad had them down so we could al he buried side by side, Ophelia has opted for us to share a grave and have both our names on the grave stone.
VIrgil looks to be in deep thought nods, then lays back on the grass welling the breeze wash over him.
We only walk back to the van when the sky is a beautiful pink and orange with clouds hiding the setting sun.
Dad seems to be in a better mood, so that's something.
I mean not great he has lost his mother, but calmer.
He even offers to make dinner.
That's how we all find ourselves siting around the dining table enjoying pork chops with BBQ sauce and corn.
The table is filled with laughter and talking.
Stories are shared, we even put some logs in the fireplace and light the fire.
The rest of the evening is spent lounging around the living room drinking hot beverage and catching up.
All throughout the evening Gordon has had a glint in his eyes one I know all to well.
Finally he opens his mouth.
"So Alan, who was your lady friend you were talking to last night?"
He wiggles his eyes in a suggestive manner.
John, Virgil and Scott laugh.
"Yeah right."
"Our Alan dating?"
What's that supposed to mean.
"All right boys." Dad jumps in.
Gordon is still waiting for my response.
Well what's the saying?
There's no time like the present.
"Her name is Ophelia."
"Seriously?" Scott jumps into the conversation.
Dare I say, I heard a hint of disbelief.
I had the attention of everyone in the room.
"Yes, my god don't sound so surprised." I defend myself.
Do they think I'm incapable of getting a date or something.
I'll have you know I'm blessed.
I only have to roll over in the morning to see my significant other.
No doubt I hit the jackpot, Ophelia is just a stunning and beautiful as the day I fist met her.
Scott shakes his head.
"I'm sorry I'm just trying to picture you in a relationship."
I feel the familiar tingle of irritation bubbling under the surface.
Dad must take notice too.
"Well, We cant wait to meet her right boy's"
They all nod eagerly.
"So what's she like?" John asks Inquisitive.
I feel a smile creep on my face.
How could I put into words how truly amazing my beautiful wife is.
"She's incredibly witty and funny though has a heart of gold and Is just amazing, but don't let that fool you, she can be as stubborn as a mule when she wants to be and she doesn't put up with crap." I list of everything with a toothy grin.
Dad smiles at me.
There is something in his eyes, a twinkle of understanding perhaps? I don't know.
"She sound lovely." Dad amends.
She really is.
I grab my phone and open up my photos, I swipe till I land on a picture that was taken of me and Ophelia last month, when we were having a date night in New York.
I pass the phone around.
There are whistle's.
"you really got the jackpot, she's stunning." Gordon tells me as he passes the phone back to me.
I laugh good natured.
"Tell me about it, even after 8 years of marriage I still Can't believe she's my wife."
All noise has stopped, all that can be heard is the crackling of burning logs.
Five pairs of eyes turn towards me, orbs filled with shock.
What?
Why is everyone staring at me?
OH...
Shoot, I was hoping to be more subtle but I guess that's out the window.
I was hoping to break it to them gently.
There's no going back now.
"Your what?" Dad breathes out.
If it weren't to his continued breathing I would swear he were a statue.
My brothers mouths are hanging down.
"We got married 8 years ago, and have been blessed with 4 children."
Might as well rip the metaphorical bandage off.
No one says anything, they just stare at me.
Have they gone into shock?
No ones blinking
No ones talking.
It's Virgil who finally breaks the silence.
"I'm an uncle?" He gets out.
I let out a breath of relief, phew i though I was gonna have to call an ambulance.
I nod
"Yes"
That's seems to break the spell.
My brothers face light up.
Gordon cheers is yells eco throughout the room.
"I'm an uncle!"
My brother give me pats and congratulations.
It's clear as day their still shaken up by the news, however right now delight was overpowering the bombshell.
Everyone of them delighted at the prospect of having nieces and nephews to spoil.
Though there is someone who hasn't yet spoken.
All eyes turn to dad.
He's got his eyes closed and shaking his head.
He then bolts up front he chair and rushes out the back door it slams behind him.
My heart sinks.
Disappointed dills my chest.
Did he not want to be a grandfather?
John pats my Arm to offer comfort.
"He's just overwhelmed." John reassured me.
He's probably right, at least i hope.
The rest of the evening is spent answering questions.
It get later and still my dad hasn't returned.
Hours have gone by
I leave my brothers to basked in the feeling of being uncles and set of the find my dad.
It doesn't take long, he's siting on the deck facing off into the distance.
Taking a deep breath I sit down on the deck leaving a small gap between us.
Neither one of us speak until my dad whispers.
"I'm sorry."
Bewildered I turn to face him.
Dad turns to face me full on.
He continues.
"I'm sorry I missed it, you've grown into a fine young man, I'm sorry you've had to do it alone and I'm sorry I missed everything, your wedding, birth of my grandchildren, of you becoming the man I always knew you would be, and there are no words that can describe how proud I am of you."
I can't help the smile that appears on my face or the warmth that's travelling through my body.
All I've ever wanted to hear was my dad tell me how proud he was of me.
I get a bit chocked up.
This so embarrassing I'm a grown man, this shouldn't choke me up, Ophelia always tells me she's proud of me.
Dad places a hand on my shoulder.
"I haven't been here to watch you become the man you are, but I'm not going to miss a second more, I want to be apart of your life, of my grandchildren's life, I want to meet my daughter-in-law."
My dad laughs in wonder.
"I'm a grandfather."
Jeff let's put a chuff.
"I'm really staring to feel my age now."
Now we're both laughing.
Dad squeezes my arm.
"Common, let's go back inside."
The two of us walk back into the house, feeling much lighter and happier than before.
My brothers are waiting for us.
"Finally I want to here more about my little nieces and nephews." Gordon says with a smile on his face.
"I'll go grab the picture books."
Ophelia has always been one for capturing memories and storing them in journals.
We have albums of nearly everything.
I bring the load to the living room table.
They make a thump as they hit the table.
"What's all this." Scott asks curious.
"Pictures of my life."
That's that's everyone interested.
The rest of the evening was spent flipping through old pictures, of me and Ophelia when we were first dating, my graduation, holidays, my proposal and wedding, pictures of my children, sonograms, and other key events in their life.
By the end of it, my brothers and father are eager to meet their nieces and nephews.
"So when will we get to meet them? Are they coming out here? Or will we see them at Tracy island?" John asks as we both walk up the stairs.
"You'll meet them when we go back to Tracy island
John look to me inquisitive.
"And when will that be?" He prods.
I sigh.
The million dollar question.
I know my brothers are wanting to get back to Tracy island and I know I'm only delaying the inevitable, but here I can try to pretend that my whole routine and way of life will change.
What's going to happen with the thunderbirds? most likely my dad will take control once again, but what about Tin-Tin and Fermat? Scott, VIrgil and Gordon will more than likely take control back over there birds, so when does that leave Those two,
What about Tracy enterprises? Will I still be CEO or will my dad take over that as well, what about Scott, dad had been training him to one day be CEO, and what about my staff, everyone dad and the others knew has all but retired there are still a few hanging on but most are gone?
There's just so much uncertainty.