Note -Thank you all again for your reviews. Time to straighten this mess out! Before I do let me congratulate FAB12003 who had me worked out a long time ago! mcj

CHAPTER 7 - THE TRUTH ABOUT COMMITMENT

Tin-Tin Kyrano stood outside in the hallway with her hand on the polished brass door handle that led inside to his bedroom. She could hear him. He was asleep from sheer exhaustion. She couldn't possibly wake him and insist he face her Father when he was so tired.

Her Father was angrier than she ever thought he could be and once the full truth was known, she supposed he'd be angrier still. Tin-Tin knew the longer she left this, the more his anger would continue to build. Maybe it was best to get this over with for both their sakes.

She tapped on the door. There was no answer. He was in a deep sleep.

She tapped again. Again there was no reply. She looked about her. There was no-one around. She had become very adept at this part. She quietly opened the door and slipped inside. She locked the door behind her so they could not be disturbed.

Her eyes quickly adjusted to the darkened room. He lay on top of the bed covers, still fully dressed. His chest rose and fell erratically and it was obvious he had something on his mind. He muttered and turned his blonde head about restlessly as he slept.

She sat quietly on the end of the bed and sighed. Their love was such a difficult thing when she thought about it. The complication of their deep friendship made it so hard sometimes.

However, Tin-Tin knew that it had only been that long friendship with Alan Tracy which stopped her from ending their relationship that dreadful first day in San Diego when he had treated her so badly. Fortunately she knew his real character well enough to understand he had not acted like himself that day. She had forgiven him and agreed to start over again.

She recalled that their first visit to that horrible clinic had nearly ended their relationship. Strangely enough, the second visit had cemented it. The two of them had never been closer than when they left the clinic together after the second time. He had said how sorry he was as he placed his arm around her and she had rested her head sadly on his chest. But the experience had given them a common denominator and he promised her things would get better now.

She sighed. Why couldn't they have been like his mother and father; two young people destined to meet for a reason and when they did; felt the sparks fly between them?

Tin-Tin wondered what she would have thought if she met Alan Tracy for the first time under the same circumstances as his Father met his mother.

She would have no doubt looked at his tall muscular body and then fixed her eyes on his face. His dazzling blue eyes would have drawn her attention and his blonde hair with its wave and the odd tiny curl would interest her. His smile would have won her over completely. And she guessed when he spoke to her in that deep and mischievous voice of his, she would have fallen in love with him.

She smiled to herself. Things were really not that much different to when she was nine years old.

A little girl had looked at his sturdy little body and fixed her eyes on his face. His dazzling blue eyes drew her attention; sparkling and full of fun. His blonde curly hair interested her. She had never seen a blonde boy with hair like that before. His smile didn't quite win her over back then but it was friendly and open. However, when he spoke to her in that unbroken, mischievous voice of his, she hadn't fallen in love with him. Or had she?

Now look at the two of us she thought. We're caught up in this big mess and now both our Fathers are involved. His Grandmother is disappointed in both of us. We've gone and done the unthinkable behind their backs. Everything's gone wrong and both of us are upset.

She looked at him sleeping. Despite it all she did love him. She had loved him for a long time and yes she had loved him since she was nine years old.



She moved closer to him on the bed. He stirred and after a few minutes his blue eyes opened. He focussed his eyes as he smelt her scent. He smiled but the smile was not his usual brilliant one. It was one tempered with worry and exhaustion.

"Hey baby." he said softly. "You OK?"

She put her hand out to touch his unshaven face. She ran it lightly across his brow.

"Yes Alan. But I've been sent here by my Father to ask you to come to his rooms... Father knows about it Alan."

She waited for him to react; frightened that he would blame her for telling her Father.

He didn't react at all much to her surprise. He simply gave a sigh of resignation.

"It seems everyone knows except my own Father. I wish he knew now too. At least I wouldn't have to tell him then. I'd just have to explain about the money."

He ran his hands through his hair as he sat up. Tin-Tin said quietly.

"Alan my Father is very upset...he is not himself."

Alan Tracy swallowed. Well this was it then. The moment he had been dreading ever since she'd told him the news in the hangar of Thunderbird Three. He now had to face Kyrano as a man and explain himself. If Kyrano knew what had happened, he would be upset all right. He certainly wouldn't be himself. Alan suddenly felt more afraid than he ever had in his life.

No.

Kyrano had every right to be unhappy at what he'd asked Tin-Tin to do but as far as Alan was concerned, he'd made the right decision for them both whether Kyrano liked it or not.

He looked at the clock on his sideboard. It was five past six. He'd been asleep for only two hours. Oh well, he thought, if Kyrano knocks me out cold, at least I'll get some rest, forced or otherwise. Despite his pathetic attempt to humour himself, he was anxious. If he was Tin-Tin's father, he'd hit the man who did this to his daughter right between the eyes.

"All right Tin-Tin. I'll shave and change my clothes and go down there."

He looked into her eyes as he went to stand up. The soft brown dove like eyes he adored. They had tears in them. Tears he had put there because of his immaturity and failure to take care when they had been together. Tears of worry regret and fear.

He drew her to him in the darkened room and kissed her softly. The last time he had done that was in San Diego after they had gone through with it. He'd kissed her and she had burst into tears. He'd felt so bad when she did that.

Before this kiss was done, he heard the roar of a plane above the island. His heart started to beat so fast it nearly left his chest. Oh God. Now he had to face his Father too. What had he done to deserve this? What was he going to do? What was he going to say? How could he explain?

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THE SPIRIT

Calm down son. Just tell your Father and Kyrano together.

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THE MIND OF ALAN TRACY

I don't know who you are and I know you're not my conscience but I'm telling you I can't face both of them at once.

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THE SPIRIT

You never knew me but I made you and unbeknown to you, you have now made me. You can face them both. You are a good and decent young man. Don't be afraid of what you have done with Tin-Tin.

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THE PRIDE OF ALAN TRACY

I know what I've done with Tin-Tin is right but I don't want Kyrano to know about the money. He doesn't think very much of me as it is.

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THE SPIRIT

I will not let your Father bring the money up. Do not fear my son. I will watch over you since your brother cannot find it in his heart.

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THE MIND OF ALAN TRACY

I want Tin-Tin to be there with me. Maybe they'll understand if they see she agreed to it.

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THE SPIRIT

Good. If she is by your side then I will now be with you too.

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Alan looked at Tin-Tin as her tears overflowed again. She had heard his Father's plane too. He wiped her tears away with his fingers and kissed her forehead.

Even though she was anxious, he suddenly felt reassured by those thoughts.

"Tin-Tin I'm going to tell both of them together." he said with a bravery that outshone any rescue attempt he had ever made.

She bit her lip.

"Are you sure Alan?"

He looked at this beautiful girl, his love, his life, his everything, his...

He nodded.

"Yes I'm sure."

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Scott Tracy flinched when he heard the plane overhead. As always he was right on schedule. He had said 1805 hours and it was exactly 1805 hours. My Father the perfectionist, he sighed. No wonder he made it to Top Gun and I didn't. No wonder he was hand picked to be an Astronaut. He was a master in the air.

After giving him permission to land, Scott sighed. He was a master behind the desk too and from their discussion over the televid, it was apparent that he was going to get a lecture the moment his Father walked through that door. He resigned himself that his Father's usual words," Scott I'm not going to tell you that you did the wrong thing but…" were about to be uttered by that deep powerful voice he knew so well.

Scott looked at the clock and began to think. He's landed the plane, he'll do the log, do the cross check and he'll walk through that door at 6.24 right on the nose. And then I'm going to get it just like the last time.

He'd be looking for a glass of scotch in his hand too. Scott looked about. There was no sign of Kyrano. His Grandmother had mentioned that Kyrano may have overheard them earlier in the day. That explained his absence and the quiet tension in the house.

He sighed again. There was the impending disaster of that situation too. Scott suddenly felt grateful his father was only going to lecture him about Alan failing to have the mandatory six hours sleep. Once the expected lecture was done Scott decided he would retire for the night and leave Alan to face the music. His own words still rang true.

"I can't stand up for what he's done to Tin-Tin. I don't agree with it. Commitment is everything. "

He noticed that his Grandmother had entered the lounge. She carried two glasses and an unopened bottle of scotch on a small tray. She placed the tray on the desk.

"Take this into your Father's study Scott." she directed without emotion in her voice.

"Who's the scotch for?"

"Let's just say I know what's about to happen in this house." she said in a worried voice. "And even that won't be enough to ease the pain I know is coming."

Scott did as she asked him, carrying the tray into the study Jeff Tracy used as an office.

He switched on the lights and looked about. He rarely came in here, preferring to sign things in the dining room. The Office was very cluttered but in an orderly way. That was how his Father's business brain worked.

New plans drawn up by Brains lay untouched on the back desk. Books on every subject associated with aerospace and technology lined the shelves. Financial statements categorised into each of his business interests lay in neat chronological order, each carefully thumbed and checked.

Scott put the tray down on the desk and looked in front of him. A photograph had been placed there. One he hadn't seen for a long time. It was a beautiful impromptu photograph of he and his brothers, taken by the look of it, when he was around thirteen. They were all sitting in a tree in the backyard of their Boston home. He was in the centre of the photograph with his arms around Alan. Virgil and Gordon sat on another branch, Virgil's chestnut hair complementing Gordon's red. John sat on the other branch, holding his telescope.

Scott looked at each of their faces in the photograph. John's looked dreamy. Virgil's did too. Gordon's was plain mischievous. Alan's was sweet. His own face...it was solemn. He had been worried one of them would fall and hurt themselves. Especially Alan. He'd put a protective arm around him. I've always protected him, Scott thought. Tonight's going to be the first time I haven't.

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THE SPIRIT

"Scott I'm asking you one more time to reconsider."

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FATHER NUMBER THREE

"I've got my own lecture coming up. The answer is No. He faces this alone."

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THE SPIRIT

"Your Grandma put that photograph there. She thinks it will make your Father go easy on

him."

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FATHER NUMBER THREE

"Grandma is always hopeful when it comes to Dad. She's seen us getting enough canings by now to know he doesn't go easy on anyone."

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THE SPIRIT

"I also think it will make your Father go easy on you."

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SON NUMBER 1

"I haven't done anything."

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THE SPIRIT

"Haven't you?"

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SON NUMBER 1

"Nothing Dad knows about."

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THE SPIRIT

"Are you sure?"

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Scott suddenly felt uncomfortable. He didn't know why but that inner voice had made him nervous. He didn't have time for nerves. It was 6.23 and he'd be inside in less than a minute.

Come on Scott, you know it's only about the rescue, he reassured himself.

Of course it was.

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COMMITMENT

He turned off the light and returned to the lounge to see his Father walk inside. Their dark blue eyes met; both men of equal stature; both strong domineering personalities; the leader and the Apprentice in command of International rescue.

"Hello Father. You're right on time as usual." he said and cursed at how nervous his voice sounded.

Jeff Tracy nodded. "Hello son."

He walked over to the French doors near the balcony. Josie Tracy stood busily tending bar. He kissed her cheek.

"Hello mother. Are things all right with you?"

Josie smiled but cursed herself at how fake it felt and most likely looked.

"Things are ...fine Jeff." she said stiffly. "How was your flight?"

Her eyes met his. She saw the dangerous flash of cold steel. She knew he was angry. He saw the sadness in hers. He knew she was upset. His eyes seemed to darken further. Oh dear; Josie thought. He is merely going through the pleasantries first.

"The flight was long." he grumbled. "Why are you tending bar? Where is Kyrano?"

A voice behind him made them jump.

"I am here Mr. Tracy. I heard your plane come in. My apologies for my tardiness. May I get you and Mrs Tracy something?"

Jeff's eyes met Kyrano's. They were hard and cold. He had never seen Kyrano look at him like that before.

"Uhh yeah Kyrano. Scotch. You mother?"

Josie Tracy looked at Kyrano. His eyes were angrier than her son's.Oh dear, she thought; he too is merely going through the pleasantries first.

"Uhh yeah , the same." she said nervously.

"Scott?"

"Uhh yeah Dad." he said nervously.

"Well Kyrano it's scotch all round then." Jeff replied tightly.

Kyrano prepared the drinks in silence and served them. He stood by quietly. No-one spoke. The tension was terrible. No-one wanted to be the first person to ask, how was your trip to New York or what's been happening around here? Who wanted to be the catalyst for the volcano?

In the end it got the better of Josie Tracy. She looked at both Jeff Tracy and Kyrano.

"I think you and my son need to talk privately Kyrano."

Kyrano tried to keep his temper under reasonable control.

"I would only speak with your grandson Mrs. Tracy. I have no quarrel with Mr. Tracy."

Jeff Tracy eyed them. So they all obviously knew. His youngest son had told everyone else but him. Well, if that was the case he could say what he thought right out here in the open.

"Kyrano. I gather then you know what has happened between my son and your daughter."

Kyrano looked at Jeff Tracy. He owed this man a lot. More than he could ever repay him he knew. However when it came to his daughter's well-being he owed this man nothing. His daughter was the most important thing in the world to him and all the money in the world would not change what his son had done to her. He owed Jeff Tracy nothing.

"I am well aware of what your son has done to my daughter." he snapped.

"Kyrano If it's any consolation..."

A voice came from the doorway.

"Dad, Kyrano. Before either you go any further I would like to speak with both of you."

Alan Tracy stood facing his Father for the first time.

He also faced her Father for the first time.

He faced his Grandmother for the first time.

He knew his second Father was not going to help him.

He stood holding the hand of Tin-Tin Kyrano.

Her eyes looked at her Father's as he saw her hand in his.

He could not believe she would still stand there with him.

Her eyes looked at Alan's Father as he saw her hand in his.

He too could not believe she would still stand there with him.

Her eyes looked at Alan's Grandmother as she saw her hand in his.

She could not believe she would still stand there with him but she had to admit she was mighty glad.

Her eyes looked at Alan's eldest brother as he saw her hand in his.

He, unlike the others could understand why she would still stand there with him despite what had happened. She loved him. He knew what that felt like in this situation.

Jeff Tracy squared his jaw and pressed his lips together. His eyes narrowed.

Kyrano began to shake with fury.

Josie Tracy anxiously watched both of them and saw the fear in her grandson's eyes as he continued to face them. She saw him squeeze Tin-Tin's hand tighter as if he was trying to steady himself.

Scott Tracy's protectiveness of his brother suddenly flared up as he watched the ire of both Fathers building.

"Dad...Kyrano...Can you just hear him out first?"

Jeff Tracy glared at his eldest son.

Kyrano glared at the eldest son of Jeff Tracy.

Josie Tracy breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God Scott had seen fit to intercede.

Virgil and Gordon Tracy sat quietly in the shadows of the next room, totally confused at the scene they had nearly walked in on as they came to greet their Father.

Jeff Tracy held his tongue.

Kyrano held his.

Alan motioned Tin-Tin to sit in a nearby chair and walked over to where his Father stood.

THE SPIRIT WATCHED.

He addressed his Father.

"Dad. There is a lot you don't know about Tin-Tin and I and ..."

Jeff Tracy hated being patronised especially when this boy seemed to have taken him for a fool. His resolve broke immediately.

"What don't I know then Alan?" he seethed. "Tell me any of the details I leave out! Let me see, since your birthday you have been having an unprotected sexual relationship with Kyrano's daughter."

Alan flinched.

"Yes Sir."

"The result of this has been an unplanned pregnancy that you found out about a few days ago no doubt when you returned from Thunderbird Five?"

"Yes Sir."

"So you took Kyrano's daughter to San Diego with you under the pretence of attending a fashion show."

"Yes Sir."

"However your fashion show was a small medical clinic on Shafton Street that amongst other things happens to abort babies like yours who aren't wanted by their rich and very irresponsible fathers?"

Alan's eyes widened. Oh no. He knew about that too. Oh God, he swallowed, watching his Father's fist tighten; he's going to hit me in a minute.

"Yes Sir."

"You asked and paid for an abortion and then didn't go through with it."

"Yes Sir that's true."

"Then you took her back to your Hotel and spent the night with her."

Silence. Jeff Tracy snapped.

"Are you still with me Alan?"

"Yes Sir I am but I didn't spend the night with her Dad..."

Jeff Tracy held up his hand.

"At least humour me Alan since you didn't think you needed to tell me all this until I found it out for myself. Now where was I? That's right. On Saturday afternoon you took her back to that clinic didn't you?"

"Yes Sir I did."

"And this time you did go through with it."

"Yes..."

Alan Tracy stopped mid-sentence. No his Father was wrong. They hadn't gone through with it. He would never subject her to anything like that again. Never.

"No Sir you're wrong. I took her there to have a scan of the baby. We didn't know when it was due and well... we needed to know so I could tell you."

Jeff Tracy's mouth shut like a steel trap. His eyes stared in disbelief. Kyrano had lost all colour. Josie Tracy felt tears of relief flowing down her face. Scott Tracy simply shook his head at how he had underestimated his youngest brother.

Jeff Tracy went to open his mouth about the twenty five thousand dollars involved. His mouth refused to move. The Spirit held it tight until her son continued to speak.

"Dad, I just couldn't do that to Tin-Tin again. I love her Sir. You and Scott may think I am incapable of being responsible for my actions but I am. And I have been Dad. That's the other thing."

There was a deathly silence. Alan looked back at Tin-Tin. She looked like she was going to throw up again. He knew how she felt. He looked directly at his Father.

"After the scan Sir...I had to do other things including this... and Sir ... well...I know you won't approve of this... and neither will you Kyrano... but...well...I've married her Dad. She is now my wife."

Virgil and Gordon Tracy's mouths nearly fell to the floor. Virgil felt a nuclear bomb could have been dropped in that lounge room now and not had the same effect. The kid? The kid had gotten married?

All eyes riveted on Tin-Tin.

THE SPIRIT PROTECTS

"I rest inside this girl. I have been called from my place in heaven to return to this family. Do not reject me.

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GRANDFATHER NUMBER ONE

"My God this can't get any worse can it?

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THE SPIRIT PROTECTS

"What do you mean worse? Our son could have aborted me. He didn't."

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GRANDFATHER NUMBER ONE

"No matter what he does Lucille; you still find the good in him. What do you mean aborted you?

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THE SPIRIT REPLIES

"When you see me, you will know."

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GRANDFATHER NUMBER ONE

"Now you're talking in riddles. What in the blazes does that mean?"

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THE SPIRIT

"I'm not talking to you in riddles. Listen to me. I'm on my way back to you Jeff. You will soon hold me again."

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JEFF TRACY'S HEART - THE HEART OF THE MAN WHO HAD LOVED HER

"Lucy... I would give everything I have to hold you again."

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THE SPIRIT

"Remember when you promised to hold me again after we met? You were entering NASA and December was the only time you had leave? You said ...I love you. Please wait for me until December Lucy. "

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JEFF TRACY'S HEART - THE HEART OF THE MAN WHO HAD LOVED HER

"I remember."

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THE SPIRIT GIVES ONE LAST REPLY

"I love you. Please wait for me until December Jeff... and you will hold me again. "

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GRANDFATHER NUMBER ONE

"I don't understand and I'm too worried about what Kyrano's thinking to work out what you mean. I wish Kyrano would say something."

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GRANDFATHER NUMBER TWO

"I feel somewhat tempered by Mr Alan's actions. At least he acknowledges the love he feels for my child and he has not hurt her in the way I feared. I wish his Father would say something."

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THE SPIRIT

"He loves her deeply Mr. Kyrano. I watched him make the commitment and marry her. Speak with him later and be at peace with this."

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GRANDFATHER NUMBER TWO

"I would rather he had asked me for her hand in marriage."

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THE SPIRIT

"You may not have said yes to him and he feared that. My son is a complex young man who is powered by his emotions. But despite it all he loves your daughter Mr Kyrano. Of that you can be very sure. I have watched the two of them since they have been nine years old. It was when they met I was told I would be returning."

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GRANDFATHER NUMBER TWO

"I have watched them too. Twelve years is a long time. I must accept that while their love has grown slowly it is real. "

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THE SPIRIT

"It must be so. They are going to be my parents."

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GRANDFATHER NUMBER TWO

"Then I must trust them."

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GRANDFATHER NUMBER THREE

"Alan... I have never been more wrong about you. I am so sorry for judging you as I have."

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THE SPIRIT

"I told you that you were wrong. Now stand by your little brother as he talks to his father about the money. I would not have left him as a baby if I had a choice. I am asking you to stand by him now as I asked you to stand by him the day I died. He will take the consequences Scott. Simply stand by his side. "

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GREAT GRANDMOTHER JOSIE

"This is the happiest day of my life. I'm not showing it because I know it should have happened in another way. But it hasn't and I don't care. My grandson has finally married this little girl and nothing has made me happier than I feel right now. Lucille; darling, I know you had something to do with this. You have left your mark on us again."

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THE SPIRIT

"Josie...you dear special sweet woman. You have cared for my babies all of these years. I am very tired from protecting myself from certain death these past three days. I need to rest now. Convince my Jeff that Alan's marriage is as good and decent as the marriage the two of us had. "

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GREAT GRANDMOTHER JOSIE

"You leave Jeff to me Lucille."

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Alan looked around uneasily in the shocked silence. He'd expected someone to have hit him by now. He swallowed and turned to face at Kyrano.

"Sir. I want to tell you officially that Tin-Tin and I are expecting a baby on December 11. It's my child and I accept responsibility for it despite my stupidity these past few days. Tin-Tin is everything to me Kyrano. I'm asking you to approve of our marriage Sir."

Kyrano eyed this young man. He had much to say to him.

Jeff Tracy eyed his son. He had more than a lot to say.

Scott Tracy was deep in thought. He wanted to talk to the spirit again. He willed her to return. She did not seem to be listening.

Kyrano finally spoke.

"Mr. Alan. I would speak with you in my rooms. Alone."

Jeff Tracy finally spoke.

"When you finish with Kyrano. I want you in my study Alan."

Josie Tracy finally spoke.

"Jeff I want a word with you in your study first."

Scott Tracy finally spoke.

"Dad. Do you still want to talk to me?"

Jeff Tracy eyed his eldest son. He had more than a lot to say to him too.

"Yes son I do. I want to speak with you now."

Josie Tracy shook her head. "Not before I talk to you Jeff."

Tin-Tin Kyrano did not speak to anyone. She was really tired. It was like the baby was suddenly willing her to rest, almost as if it had been through some sort of ordeal. She looked at Alan as he left the room with her Father. She rose quietly and went to leave the room herself. Jeff Tracy watched her her go, the spirit's words still turning around meaninglessly inside him. He would hold her again? Wait for her until December? Could it be that voice was telling him Tin-Tin was carrying a daughter? A daughter due in December? A daughter to be born with her spirit?

Jeff Tracy shook his head. What nonsense. He was losing his grip on reality if he was relating Tin-Tin's child to what he "thought" a dead girl had "said" to him. He dismissed the thoughts the spirit had given him and returned to the grim reality of what had just happened in this lounge room.

Virgil and Gordon Tracy quietly retired to the kitchen. It looked like they were preparing Dinner tonight and by the sound of things it would only be the two of them.

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TOTAL COMMITMENT

Alan Tracy had never been afraid during a mission in his life. He loved the exhilaration of danger and the sweet taste of success. That was why he loved the racing circuit so much. All of those qualities and the prize at the end. However this mission was an important one. It had more danger than he had ever known and the prize at stake was his wife.

His wife. He still couldn't get used to saying that. He'd never even called Tin-Tin his girl-friend. Simply his friend. From his friend to his lover to his wife. In less than nine weeks.

Alan now knew why he felt like he'd been on a roller coaster.

He'd never been in here before. Kyrano's private rooms. All five rooms were decorated in Malaysian style and had the aroma of incense in them. Oriental ornaments and large statues were tastefully placed about. Red velvet wall hangings and oriental tapestries adorned the walls. It was like Alan Tracy had taken a step back into the orient. It reminded him of a trip to Asia his father had taken him on once when he was young. The trip to open his new factory in Tokyo. He shuddered at the very thought of that Tokyo operation. He would be facing the consequences of that soon too.

He stood in the centre of the sitting room looking about. He saw a photograph of Tin-Tin in a green-jade frame. It had been taken only a few months before. He remembered when Gordon had taken the photograph. The day after he had kissed her for the first time. He looked at her ruby red lips which were parted slightly. He almost felt his on hers again.

He saw another photograph. It was one of her as a little girl. She couldn't have been more than three years old. He looked at her sweet face and pretty features.

"I wish could Father a girl." he found himself thinking. "She'd be pretty like that if Tin-Tin had anything to do with it."

The final photograph he saw was one he did not recognise. A woman. Dark-haired, brown-eyed and extremely beautiful. She was not Malaysian. Alan shrugged and put down the frame.

"Mr Alan. " he said. "I am sorry to keep you waiting. Please be seated."

He motioned him to the two chairs in the centre of the room.

"I would speak with you regarding my daughter."

"Yes Sir."

Alan sat nervously looking in Kyrano's direction. Kyrano reached over to the sideboard and picked up the photograph of the dark haired woman.

"Do you see this photograph Mr Alan?"

"Yes Sir."

"Do you have any idea who this woman is?"

"No Sir."

"This is Tin-Tin's mother. My ex-wife."

"She is very beautiful Sir if you don't mind me saying so."

Kyrano nodded pressing his lips together to hide any emotion.

DISCUSSING TOTAL COMMITMENT

"Yes she was. She was my wife. I married her some years before we were blessed with Tin-Tin. I loved her very much."

"Tin-Tin is very like her Sir."

"Yes. And I love my Tin-Tin very much too."

"I know Sir."

"Mr Alan. Tell me of how you felt growing up without your Mother."

"Sir?"

"Did you cry sometimes Mr Alan?"

"Not that I recall Sir. My Father and brothers saw to me I suppose."

"My Tin-Tin cried. She had no brothers or sisters and she had no mother. Only me."

"That would have been hard Sir."

"Tell me how you felt Mr. Alan when you changed from a boy to a man."

"Pardon Sir?"

"Did anyone help you? Advise you?"

"Yes Sir. My Father and Scott. They explained things to me. It was embarrassing sometimes."

" Mr Alan. How do you think Tin-Tin felt changing from a girl to a woman."

"Sir please don't mention those things I did to her."

"I am not mentioning anything. How do you think she felt without her mother? You had your Father. She only had me."

"Embarrassing I suppose. Especially when she got that for the first time and didn't want anyone to know."

"You were there then weren't you."

"Yes Sir."

"You have been there for most things in her life Mr. Alan. I know this."

"She is my best friend Sir."

"Tell me of your life in College Mr. Alan."

"My life in College Sir? On campus?"

"About the girls."

"Umm... Sir... You don't want to know about that."

"I do."

"Well... I knew a lot of girls. I went out on dates most Saturday nights. I guess you could say I was quite experienced with girls."

"Did you go to bed with them?"

"Uhh... some of them Sir."

"Some of them?"

"Most of them Sir."

"Tell me what you think Tin-Tin did in College."

"Studied Sir. More than I did."

"And on Saturday nights? Do you think she went out on dates?"

"I don't know Sir. I suppose so. She didn't tell me."

"She counted the weeks until her vacation. To see you Mr. Alan."

"I looked forward to seeing her too Sir."

"You certainly consoled yourself in a fuller way than my daughter."

"I was very foolish Sir."

"And Mr. Alan. Tell me of your experience of my daughter."

"Sir?"

"The night you took her as your own."

"Sir that's private."

"I am her Father."

"And I am her husband. It is not your concern Sir."

"Mr. Alan. If you want my blessing on this marriage I would know how you have treated my daughter."

"I...I don't know what to say to you Sir."

"Did you tell her that you loved her?"

"Yes Sir I did."

"Did you mean it?"

"Of course I did Sir."

"Were you considerate of her."

"I think so Sir."

"And when she told you of the child?"

"I behaved badly Sir."

"Tell me of this."

"I blamed her for the mistake. I thought she was taking precautions."

"Like those girls back in your College days?"

"Yes Sir."

"How did she react to your insistence to end the pregnancy."

"She didn't want to do it Sir."

"You forced her to accompany you?"

"Yes Sir. I was wrong."

"Tell me of the clinic. Did you take her there? Go into the operating room?"

"No Sir. I took her there but I didn't go in there."

"Have you ever seen inside a room where they do these things Mr Alan?"

"No Sir."

"She now has. My child who was raised with such love has seen what happens to those children who are not loved by their Father ."

"I will love my child Sir."

"Mr. Alan. Your Father said you took her from an operating table to your hotel room. Did you intend for her to have intercourse with you?"

"Yes Sir."

"And did you?"

"No Sir. I went...well I went to bed next door. "

"Now tell me of this second visit to that clinic."

"Sir I truthfully only took her there for a scan of the baby. I'd show you the pictures but I have misplaced them. After I saw the baby on the screen I decided I had to marry her. I saw that baby Sir and I knew that it would need a Father. I've always had a Father and I been grateful for it.There was no other way Sir."

"Now Mr. Alan. Tell me of your marriage."

"Sir. I took her to buy a wedding ring. Then we went to get a marriage licence. I married her and used a couple of witnesses who worked there. It is a proper marriage Kyrano. I have the papers."

"Mr Alan. Do you think my Tin-Tin has always dreamed of being married to you?"

"I don't know Sir. I hadn't thought about it until this happened. I've never been one for Commitment."

"Do you think she would have liked to be a proper bride?"

"Yes Sir."

"Worn a proper dress?"

"Yes Sir."

"Not have been pregnant on her wedding day."

"Yes Sir."

"Experienced physical love with you for the first time when the guests left you alone together?"

"I... I guess so."

"Experienced the joy of telling you that your love had now created your baby and you could share that news with everyone?"

"Yes."

"And by your actions you have deprived her of all of this."

"I know Sir. I know that is why she cried and why I feel so badly for her."

"My Tin-Tin has wanted you for a long time. She has been yours for twelve years Mr. Alan. For me not to let her have what she wants would be wrong. I do approve of your marriage to her and I welcome the birth of your child but do not fail me ever again Mr. Alan.

"No Sir. Things will be different now."

" I would also like the opportunity to speak with your Father later this evening regarding this matter."

"I'll tell him Sir. Uhh... thank you Sir "

"Mr. Alan we now have an understanding. I trust that you will now see to my daughter and my grandchild."

Kyrano extended his hand to Alan Tracy and rose from the chair. Their dialogue was done. Kyrano nodded. Despite his immaturity Alan Tracy was like his Father after all; an honest, decent man. He was now sure.

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Author's Note... Please review this Chapter. I would like to know your thoughts.

PS. Those who thought they could possibly have aborted this precious Tracy grandchild should go back and read the last few Chapters again knowing these two were married. It makes a lot more sense!

NEXT CHAPTER - FATHERS AND SONS ON COMMITMENT

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