You can blame Dragonoffantasyandreality for this one...

For all that it was his own idea, Scott Tracy was hating every second of today. Every. Second. He ground his teeth as the man got him to change his top – again – while he changed something with the background.

His only comfort was that he knew he wasn't the only one complaining. He could hear Virgil – who was two studios (and John) away.

The man seemed happier with this top, a light blue silky rolltop with a lightweight cream sweater and dark blue slacks, and truth be told Scott didn't mind the combination but what was rankling him most was what the man wanted to do with his hair…

A side split with a high comb-over was not anywhere near his favoured hairstyle, and he knew he was going to get ribbing about it.

He might be fourteen and tall for his age, but the clothes and the hair made him feel like he was in his fifties.

A bellow and Scott broke out into a grin. If anything, Virgil was quite possibly having a worse time than he was. The eleven-year-old was not a morning person at all, and to get out of the house and have these done in secret had meant an early start.

Teaming him up with a hyperactive six-year-old Gordon…

And right on cue Gordon's shrill scream rent the air and Scott shot off the stool he was perched on. The sight that he met made him pause before charging in and scooping up Gordon.

He had tried to tell the agency that the pairing was a bad idea, but as usual adults who didn't know them thought they knew best.

Gordon was soaked in milk from the cereal and it was rapidly soaking through Scott's outfit. His brother repaid him by hugging him closely and wiping a snotty nose on his shoulder. Virgil wasn't much better, just as wet and just as upset, but where Gordon was crying the artist was angry, eyes blazing.

John ambled in, looking almost as smart as Scott. He took one look and burst out laughing. He clasped Scott's shoulder, holding his stomach and trying to speak through his tears.

'And you…hahaha…thought that…hahaha…this was a good…haha…idea!'

Scott scowled at him, and he didn't need to turn around to know that Virgil was doing the same. On hearing John's voice Gordon twisted around in Scott's arms and wiggled until he was put down. John stepped back as his Fishie brother made to hug his legs, and it was Scott's turn to smirk as the ginger sighed and picked Gordon up.

'You're getting too big for this, Squid,' he grumbled, but held him tight all the same.

Scott once again played peacemaker between the artist and the fish, and soon the two were seated at the table again.

This time Scott and John both stayed, ostentatiously to prevent another war but in reality to avoid returning to their own studios and facing the wrath of their respective photographers.

Photoshoot over, Scott once more picked up a yawning Gordon and a still-grumpy Virgil – now dressed in their own clothes – and they all made their way over to John's studio and waited while he had another change of clothes and posed.

Then it was Scott's turn.

The photographer was not impressed with the condition of his outfit, all but accusing Scott of deliberately trying to ruin every outfit he had prepared. Scott looked a little contrite, but his brothers just grinned.

There was only one change of clothes left and with a groan he dressed.

John and Virgil both gave low wolf whistles when he reappeared. Dressed in black slacks and a white shirt with a blue sweater slung carelessly over his shoulders, Scott looked every inch the eldest son of Jeff Tracy.

Didn't stop his brothers giggling and heckling him throughout the shoot.

Shoot over, Scott fulfilled his promise of breakfast at Miss Ella's diner while the photobook was being put together and bound in white leather and satin with crystals colour-coded for each boy for their parent's 15th wedding anniversary.

The only one absent, Alan had been too ill to come out, a nasty bout of chicken pox forcing Lucy and Jeff to keep him home. While Scott was disappointed it had also served as a blessing because his tired parents were too worried to be asking probing questions as to why Scott wanted to take all his brothers out for breakfast when it wasn't even anyone's birthday…

Grandma and Grandpa Tracy had helped him find and organise the shoot, contributing to his saved money so that he could make sure the gift was extra special, and his brothers had been on board the second they had seen the box of material.

Squabbling done – for now – they enjoyed waffles and pancakes and bacon and maple syrup and chatted while they waited for the phone call saying everything was ready. Scott threw a grin at Miss Ella as she sneaked them an extra plate of bacon, casting an eye over the boys and ruffling Gordon's hair as she passed. The grin from the child in response was pure gold.

Eventually the call came and Scott herded his brothers back to the studio. Their Grandparents were waiting, and as the six of them poured over the images Scott's heart swelled. His parents would love this so much.

Ruth took possession of the book to keep it hidden for the special day and they made their way back home for a Saturday of family time.

Three weeks later.

The party was in full swing. Jeff and Lucy. Their boys. Grant and Ruth, Lee and Val. Neighbours and friends, they were all enjoying the best June weather and Jeff and Lee's friendly Kansan verses Texan barbeque rivalry was in full swing.

Ruth gave Scott a subtle nudge and the teen got the hint immediately, getting to his feet and disappearing while Ruth called the gathering to order, getting the rest of the boys to sit in a semicircle in front of their parents. He returned with the gift held securely in both hands and passed it to his Mom before joining his brothers.

Lucy and Jeff looked at the gift their eldest had given them. They didn't usually do gifts until later, just before the boys went to bed was the norm, so they understood that this was a special gift.

They carefully tore the ivory wrapping paper off to find a white leather and satin photo album with crystals artfully sprinkled over the cover. In the centre, in a semicircle much like their boys now sat before them, were coloured crystals, one in each of the boy's favourite colours. Blue, orange, green, yellow and red.

Jeff and Lucy exchanged a smile and opened the album.

The first picture was one with all the boys. It was a relaxed informal pose, with them all on the floor of the living room. Scott had Alan sitting in his lap, the toddler half turned into his chest and more intent on playing with the buttons on his brother's shirt. John was on Scott's left, Virgil on his right and Gordon lying on his stomach in front of all of them, head propped up on his hands, feet obviously swinging and with the widest grin possible.

It was obviously a home-taken picture, and only Ruth could have taken it. The smile on her face agreed with that hypothesis. The next ones…

Gordon and Virgil were sat at a table. It was laid for breakfast, but nothing that Jeff or Lucy had in the house. There were two boxes of cereal, a large jug of white milk and a jug of orange juice. The boys were sitting at right angles to each other and each had a spoon at some stage on the journey to their mouth. They were also identically dressed in pyjamas.

Jeff frowned. There was something familiar about the scene but he couldn't put his finger on it. He glanced at Lucy to see what she thought and she was also frowning. Just what was ringing bells, though, he couldn't fathom.

More photos followed of all five boys, either in groups or singularly, which all had an obvious home-shot quality to them until the next one that caused frowns again. This time it was John, seated on a window seat reading a book. He was very smartly dressed and the book was held in such a way that the cover was just about visible. Jeff still couldn't put his finger on what was going on, but Lucy had taken one look and burst out laughing.

More individual and family pictures followed, including some of their extended families, and once again Ruth's influence could be seen.

Then they came to the picture of Scott.

The picture was of Scott looking in a mirror. It showed his back to the camera and his face in the mirror. He was in the middle of combing his hair. On the shelf under the mirror was an open bottle of aftershave.

It looked like a photoshoot of a model, and Scott looked far older than his age. Jeff's eyes softened and Lucy stopped laughing, running a finger over the picture of her eldest. He was going to be such a handsome man, her firstborn. She smiled up to her husband and Jeff returned the smile.

What a beautiful set of boys they had.

Jeff turned the picture over to the last page.

Scott was seated cross-legged, back leaning against a table leg in what was obviously their own kitchen. In his lap sat Alan, Scott's arms around him and the two had heads bent over a book. Scott was pointing at the page and his brother's hand was resting on top so he was following along.

Beside Scott's hip was a cardboard box on its side, and strewn around them were t-shirts and books and stickers. A bright yellow watch in a case. A lunchbox with a matching flask. Alan was wearing the same pyjamas that Gordon and Virgil had been.

Jeff twigged.

The three eldest boys recognised the moment both parents realised what had happened and burst out laughing. Gordon and Alan joined in even if they didn't know what the laughter was about. Their parents and grandparents joined in.

After the party was over and all but their closest friends remained the album was shared around as Scott told how he had found the box in the garage and shown it to John and Virgil. How they had joked what an unusual gift it would make if they actually acted out some of the story-boarded suggestions.

There had been a lot of hugs and laughter, and Lucy had said how inspired the idea was and how much she loved it. Jeff too expressed much amusement but them made them promise to never get that stuff out of the garage again. They readily agreed.

The album took pride of place among the others.