Chapter 8 of -The truth can hurt
A mysterious protectorJeff sat at his desk, as the silence of the villa was only interrupted by the distant sound of waves breaking softly on the moonlight shore. He stared down on at the images before him varying from Gordon and Virgil showing off on the boys' new speedboat that they had designed and built last summer, to his eldest dressed in full uniform of a air force pilot looking his usual charming self. Jeff's life had been a roller coaster of pain and happiness from the death of his father, to his tragic loss of his beloved wife nearly 22 years ago, but like with all things they happen for a reason. Although it had taken until his youngest son was 16 before his vision of a way to remember his loss and offer a service to the world had actually become reality, Jeff was now grateful he had put all the effort and energy into it.
Jeff had given up trying to sleep as something was bothering him, and hearing voices from the lounge had interested him to who else was up. When he had inquired to his eldest what was going on he knew by the slow un-answered response his desperation to reveal he truth to the question he had posed, which had been answered from Alan behind him was not what Scott would have said. As all 3 left the room something told Jeff that he needed to know the situation and that he would find out no other way, so he went against his ethics and had turned to his communication panel.
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" I can't just sit here I have to deal with this " Jeff knew that his son's were quite secretive about their emotions and new some of them were a lot more open than others mainly the eldest and youngest were his most mysterious.
Talking openly about Lucille wasn't easy to his son's as he didn't want to upset them but he knew he had to.
"He looks very peaceful shall I wake him?" Jeff thought to himself
"What have I done to you?" the movement of Jeff's hand on his son's moonlit face was enough to waken his from his restful state in a chair by the balcony.
"Dad what are you doing?" he asked still in the grips of a deep slumber
"You can tell me "
Alan quickly recalled his conversation between his and his two eldest brothers, had Scott and Virgil betrayed him and gone and told their father anyway? Or was Jeff just tricking him in to what Scott had done before, knowing nothing but claiming everything. He really didn't know. In their younger years while John and Virgil were hearing tales of Jeff's piloting days, Alan was much more interested with learning how to impress the girls, watching Grand Prix's and dreaming him winning, despite the fact this last his attempt at driving' didn't go has he intended, and ended in a very bad way. Mainly a broken arm and the police having a chat to him, while his older brothers had been in hysterics when they had hear the actions of their baby brother joyriding in a sports car at 8 years old, whereas their father had preferred to take the more annoyed side. This was just some of the reasons Alan hadn't been as close to Jeff as the others and so didn't help him in his position now.
"I don't have anything to say" Alan said very apprehensive way
"Don't push me away, like you normally do Alan"
Alan looked into his fathers eyes and saw the look he had received all the times before when he had just returned home from running away, and knew instantly knew how much hurt he had caused his family, in those sleepless nights while they panicked of his safety. That look he recalled would be accompanied by a desperate plea to know why and where he had been, and now six years later he was still receiving the panicked look from his father but this time understood it was a look of total love for him rather than hate for him. Alan looked down guilty at the floor after knowing that he had caused so much hurt to stop so much pain, could he continue doing it and admitting nothing?
Alan was lost again.
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Jeff heard soft breathing from where his youngest was now asleep next to him, and he smiled as he leaned down and kissed Alan's forehead. When Jeff first entered Alan's room nearly an hour ago he had expected him to deny everything, listen to nothing, and a blazing row to start. As per usually Alan had completely surprised him and after a first but weak attempt on denial and a long silence after, all Alan had said was he was sorry. Jeff was even now still stunned by his words, one for being the truth, clear by the look on his face and the pain in his eyes, and two, him actually saying anything. Jeff had completely forgotten what he had wanted to say and instead could manage nothing but,
"It doesn't matter as long as you're all right".
Again unsure of the reaction he would get, was absolutely astonished when Alan hugged him.
Jeff looked down on his sleeping son, and knowing from his behaviour and apologetic manner, that Alan didn't want him to ever know about his guilty, painful feeling about this mother. So Jeff decided as he slipped out of Alan's room, not to tell Scott, Virgil and absolutely not Alan, about their conversation that Jeff over heard from Scott wrist communicator and finally learning the truth.
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"Tin Tin"
"Tin Tin wake up I need so talk to you" Alan spoke in a whisper as not to scare her.
"Alan, what are you doing it 5 am an…." She was unable to finish her sentence as strong loving arms pulled her in to a warm hug as she heard a cry of sorry in her ear.
"I know I was a stupid idiot and I don't deserve you but I thought…"
"You didn't want me to suffer if anything happened to you" Alan was suddenly astonished as she finished his words.
"Erm well yes that's it precisely"
"I love you, I always have I always will"
"Then nothing else matters" she stated pulling him in to a deep sensual kiss.
"Although I really should go to sleep, how about we talk more tomorrow" she suggested.
"I'd love to, night princess," he said romantically.
"Night Al"
"Tin Tin, how did you know about, why we finished" he asked slipped from her beautiful decorated bedroom.
"I know you" she replied meaningfully.
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Curling up in his bed, Alan fell deeply into a long sleep but this time had no reason to wake for a long few hours, he had settled things with Tin Tin, thanked his brothers, talked to his father and most importantly forgave himself.
As Alan fell into an undisturbed, un-haunted sleep he heard a loving, peaceful voice whisper from the stars above,
"Night son, I love you"
"Will dad ever stop watching me sleep from now on," Alan thought drifting off.
At the same time every single member of Tracy Island was in the depths of sleep, were the voice came from was…………………………. Well what do you believe?
Thanks for people who reviewed this story. It's complete. I seemed to express my feeling in it so I feel it was worth writing.
Hope you liked it to.
Also us Alan fans have to stick together. Its not easy being the youngest!!
Star **