Author's Note - Alan and Tin-Tin Tracy finally share a Chapter all to themselves.
Please enjoy it and review. mcj
CHAPTER NINE - COMMITTED TO EACH OTHER
Alan Tracy left his Father's study and knew he should have been walking upstairs to his room relieved that it was all over and he was still in one piece at the end of it.
But he wasn't relieved.
He felt worse than he had ever felt before.
The money was nothing. The thing that now bothered him the most was that he had failed her. He had failed Tin-Tin Kyrano in every possible way that he could. He'd failed her as a friend and as a man.
He paused for a moment on the balcony of the lounge to think about the words his Father had said to him.
The words her Father had said to him.
He also thought about the words he should probably have said to her before now.
Kyrano's words had affected him the most.
"By your actions you have deprived her of all of this."
He had deprived Tin-Tin of all of her dreams without even realizing he had done it. Dreams that he never knew she had but had been too self-absorbed to see.
Dreams of a perfect marriage proposal, wearing a white dress to her wedding, a perfect wedding night and a perfect situation to tell her family she was pregnant.
He wished he could do something to make these things up to her but he knew he couldn't. It was now too late.
Then his Father's words.
"You have to be considerate of her and understanding of what is happening to her. You have to put your own needs last. Do things for her that count."
He hadn't been considerate of her or understanding about how she was feeling. He hadn't thought about it if the truth was known. He didn't know enough about pregnancy to realize it was important.
His Father had pointed out that his attitude was doing nothing to cement the relationship he and Tin-Tin had. But what could he do to show consideration? What counted to her?
"I've got such a long way to go," he told himself. "And I don't even know where to start."
"Alan."
He turned in the direction of the familiar voice.
"Grandma!" he said in surprise.
She looked at him with concern fully expecting him to have suffered some sort of physical damage at the hands of at least one of those two fathers whose faces of thunder she had witnessed in the lounge earlier.
He seemed all right.
Despite being relieved,she hadn't expected him to get off this lightly.
"Are you all right sweetie?"
"Yes ma'am." he replied. "Things got a bit rough in there with Dad. But I deserved it ma'am."
"What on earth are you doing out here now then?"
"I'm thinking ma'am. I've got a lot to think about."
"Such as?"
"Making things up to Tin-Tin."
"I see. Well I agree you certainly have got a bit of work to do there young man."
They stood together in silence.
"It occurs to me it is a beautiful night." she suddenly said looking up at the stars.
"Yes Grandma it is." he replied looking skywards as well.
"You know your Grandfather and I always made the most of nights like these Alan. He'd take me down in the fields for a bit of romance under the stars. I liked nothing better than that you know."
Alan looked sideways at his Grandmother.
"Are you trying to tell me something Grandma?"
"Maybe I am. A night picnic under the stars with that little girl of yours would be romantic now wouldn't it?"
"Yes ma'am it would. If she wasn't feeling so tired and sick with the baby I'd ask her."
"Oh I don't know. Some fresh bread, legs of fried chicken, a bottle of red wine, some sweet words, a gentle touch, a kiss or two on the lips. It could cure a lot of sick and tired feelings Alan."
"Grandma. Are you saying I should be doing that?"
"I'm not saying anything but it would be a start in making things up to her wouldn't you say?"
"I guess so."
"Well the food's all done and on the bench in the kitchen if you want it. You only need to convince your little girl to go with you."
He didn't say anything. She looked straight ahead and then said bluntly.
"You know some of the finest loving I ever did with your Grandfather came from those nights Alan. I even think we made your Daddy after a night in those fields."
"Grandma. You shouldn't be telling me things like that."
"Those things are true sweetie. I wasn't always old you know."
"Grandma..." he began. She held up her hand.
"Don't say anything sweetie." she said tenderly. "You've made your Grandma a very happy old lady tonight. Take my advice now. All I want to see is the two of you happy together. You know I love your little girl."
Alan kissed the top of his Grandmother's head. She always knew exactly what to do and exactly what to say.
He went to find Tin-Tin.
He knocked on the door of her room.
"Tin-Tin." he said quietly. "Are you awake?"
The door opened. She looked at him anxiously.
"What happened?" she asked. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, a bit tough but I'm OK." Alan replied. "Baby I have something I want to ask you."
"What?"
"Would you come out on a picnic with me tonight?" he asked.
"A picnic? Now? What for Alan?"
"Well I want to take you out on a real date with me. Grandma has arranged a picnic for us. I thought we could walk to the other side of the island and light a fire on the beach. Come on baby. Please?"
She looked at him strangely. It was a bit late for him to be worrying about trying to date her. She held his child within her and they had already exchanged wedding vows. They had never actually dated. It seemed stupid to do it now.
"Alan. It's ten o'clock and you are very tired."
" I don't care how late it is if you don't. Please Tin-Tin."
She nodded her head. He always had the ability to persuade her. Those baby blue eyes and dazzling smile won her over every time.
"All right Alan. Just give me a minute to get my coat. You should get yours too. It'll be cold out on the beach."
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He walked with her to the other side of the island, holding her hand in his.
The only light showing the way was the moonlight. They finally made it to the darkened beach.
She sat on the blanket he had laid out on the beach and watched him as he moved about and gathered the driftwood. She watched him lean forward as he built the fire with the wood and other material he had brought from the villa and lit it.
She watched him stand silently as the flames flared up into the night.
He came to sit beside her on the blanket. The heat from the fire was intense. The flames flickered from his face to hers.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"It's a bit late for dinner." she said.
"I know but Grandma's made her world famous fried chicken for us." he said opening the bag. "Oh come on Tin-Tin. Everyone loves Grandma's fried chicken.Even you!"
"All right. I guess I could use something to eat and it's always good."
"I haven't eaten for two days." he admitted realizing the truth after opening the food.
"The last time was... in San Diego."
"At the Diner." she said sadly remembering the coffee and cake and its significance.
"I'll open the wine." he said awkwardly. "It's from Grandma's private collection by the look of it. It must be a special occasion. We'll make it for a wedding toast."
"All right Alan." she replied.
He fiddled around with the bottle of expensive Shiraz from his Grandmothers collection of special German wines and finally opened it. He poured each of them a glass. He raised his glass to hers.
"To us then." he said.
"Yes. To us." she replied.
Over the rim of the glass his eyes met hers
"I love you." he said softly.
"Alan..."
"I love you baby." he said again.
"I love you too." she replied taking another sip from the glass.
The chicken tasted marvelous and they were surprised that between the two of them they managed to eat all of it. The bread was crusty and delicious. The second glass of wine went down easily. The Company was good.
The fire continued to burn.
In the shadow of the fire his eyes looked into hers. She was aware of his blue eyes holding hers. She dropped hers.
"Alan..."
"I love you baby." he said again.
"I love you too."
He put down his empty glass. She put down hers. He took her hand in his. He saw the gold ring on her left hand. She was wearing it now. Their marriage and their baby was no longer their secret. It belonged to International Rescue now. It belonged to the Tracy family.
Her soft brown eyes stared into his. His lips lightly touched her forehead, her eyelids, her cheek. She closed her eyes as he kissed her. To her mind came everything that she had dreamed of. To his mind came everything that he had done. To both their minds came life as it now was for both of them.
The fire continued to burn.
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THE PROPOSAL SHE HAD DREAMED OF
He would have flown her to Paris or Rome in Tracy One pretending he was going to take her to a Fashion Show.
However he had really planned to take her to Dinner at an intimate Restaurant. A private table with its own musician awaited them. He would have had flowers delivered to the table within minutes of them arriving.
His Father had money and money was no option.
He would have ordered expensive champagne and exquisite food. He would have sipped the champagne as he gazed at her in the candlelight. As the music played he would have told her how desperately in love with her he was, how long he had loved her, and how he couldn't possibly live the rest of his life without her. He would have taken her hand in his and produced an engagement ring carefully selected from the finest Jeweler in Paris. He would have asked her to be his wife and held his breath as she considered it. She would have allowed him to worry a little before she said yes. She would have held her hand steady as he slid the ring on her finger. He would have kissed her across the table and whispered "I love you."
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THE PROPOSAL SHE HAD RECEIVED
He had sat beside her as the Doctor moved the ultrasound machine over her abdomen. She had felt like she was going to explode if she couldn't get to a bathroom soon with all the water she'd been required to drink. The image came up on the screen. A barely recognizable mass but it had a tiny head and it was the shape of a baby. It was their baby.
"Nine weeks young lady." came the Doctor's reply as he peered at the screen. "By the look of things this baby looks like being due around December 11."
He had held her hand as they left the clinic. He had opened the car door for her. He had gotten inside the car himself. He had sat silently in the Driver's seat holding on to the steering wheel. He had turned his head to look at her. He had said that it was obvious he had to stand by her after seeing the baby for himself. The only way he could do that was to marry her. He asked her to agree. He didn't have an engagement ring. They didn't have time for an engagement. That baby was due in seven months time.
She had reluctantly agreed when he pointed out there was no other way.
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LIFE AS IT NOW WAS
"I'll have to buy you an engagement ring one of these days." he said ashamed. "Once I pay Dad back the money for the mix-up I will."
"I'm in no need for that right now." she replied as she looked into his eyes. "I have you."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
The fire continued to burn.
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THE BRIDE SHE HAD DREAMED TO BE
She would have stood in her Father's apartments and twirled around happily in front of him in her long white dress with its' exquisite beading and long train. It would have been the gown she had requested to be modified after seeing it at the Milan Fashion Show. He had allowed her to engage that Designer in Milan.
His Father had money and money was no option.
Her joy would have been complete as she finished her make-up and her Father slipped the special diamond necklace about her throat. It would have been her Mother's necklace. The only thing her mother had left her when she had gone. Her Father had kept it for her wedding day.
Her face would have been the happiest it had ever been in her life. She would have felt special. She was going to marry the youngest of the Tracy sons who had loved her for twelve years. She would walk with her Father down onto that beautiful beach. He would have been waiting there for her next to Scott. Scott would have been his best man. The two of them would have been dressed in suits designed in Milan.
His blue eyes would have shone with love when he saw what a beautiful bride she was. He would have found it hard to contain himself as he waited to pull back her veil and kiss her when they were declared husband and wife. He would have kissed her tenderly in front of them all and they would all have applauded loudly.
They would have held hands and mingled amongst the guests and accepted their congratulations. They would have cut the special wedding cake his Grandmother had lovingly made. He would have kissed her and said, "I love you Mrs. Tracy."
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THE BRIDE SHE HAD BEEN
He wore jeans and a designer shirt. She wore a dress that had been worn quite a few times before. Her hair was dressed loosely. The only make-up she wore was her signature red lipstick against her deathly pale face.
The forms took ages to complete and it didn't help that the pen at this place kept refusing to work. He had used his credit card to pay the license fee. They had needed witnesses. Two staff members agreed to stand in but asked if they could hurry it up a little as they wanted to go home. He had stood beside her in front of the celebrant who performed the standard service for the fee. He slid the hurriedly purchased wedding ring on her finger. He gave her a short kiss on the lips as they were pronounced husband and wife. She had burst into tears. He had hugged her to his chest and said how sorry he was that her wedding day had to be like this. They signed the papers. The witnesses signed the papers and left to go home. Alan had thanked the celebrant.
He walked to the end of the street holding her hand. He offered to buy her a cup of coffee at the Diner there. He'd ordered two cups of coffee and two slices of cake. They drank the coffee in silence. He had joked that this was their wedding cake. She ate the cake and had to rush to the bathroom to throw up.
They had gone straight to the airport. They were due at the base.
No time to say, "I love you Mrs. Tracy."
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LIFE AS IT NOW WAS
"Your Father said you always wanted to wear a white dress on your wedding day." he said with guilt.
"It would have been nice. I've always dreamed of that. A designer one with a veil."
"I know baby. I'm sorry."
"It doesn't matter." she replied looking into his eyes. "I have you."
"I love you Tin-Tin."
"I love you too."
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THE WEDDING NIGHT SHE HAD DREAMED OF
They would have finally been left alone after the guests had all gone. His brothers would have made their usual erotic and witty remarks before leaving the room with a jealous glance at his good fortune. The two of them would have watched them go, knowing the delicious sensations that were to follow.
Their Fathers would have given them their blessing.
His Grandmother would be hoping they were not taking any precautions.
He would have led her to the room and shut the door, closing out everything and everybody. They would have been trapped in their own world; a world where no one else was welcome. Not on this night anyway.
He would have invited her to share the expensive bottle of Champagne beside the bed. His eyes would have held hers in the glow of the bedside lamp.
He would have kissed her with love, with commitment, with passion. He would have removed her expensive dress himself and looked at her naked beauty for the first time as his wife. He would have taken her for first time as his wife. He would have whispered, "I love you." as he released himself into her for the first time as his wife.
They would have continued to drink the champagne together and shared the Jacuzzi together. He would then have taken her the second time as his wife.
She would have fallen asleep naked in his arms as his wife.
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THE WEDDING NIGHT SHE HAD
"Where the hell have you been?"
"WELL?" he barked. "AREN'T EITHER OF YOU GOING TO SAY ANYTHING?"
"No Sir." said Alan quietly.
'WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO?"
"I'm late back. I know that Scott. There's nothing more I can say."
"Hey calm down Conan. Nothing happened and they're here now."
'HERE NOW? DO YOU TWO THINK YOU'RE BLOODY HERE? LOOK AT YOU. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME EITHER OF YOU GOT ANY SLEEP? WHAT IF I NEED YOU FOR A TWELVE HOUR FLIGHT RIGHT NOW ALAN HUH?"
"AND DON'T TELL ME YOU COULD GO BECAUSE IF YOU DO THAT ONLY PROVES TO ME HOW IRRESPONSIBLE YOU REALLY ARE!"
'WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING? I'M NOT THROUGH WITH YOU YET"
"AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED YOU'VE SAID ENOUGH. I'M GOING TO BED IN CASE THERE'S A CALL!"
'YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!'
'YOU GO TO HELL! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER SCOTT!"
Scott swung around to look back at Tin-Tin.
"What about you? Do you have anything to say for yourself? Brains needed you today. I might remind you Tin-Tin that you are a member of this Organization too. You should have ensured my order was obeyed."
She burst into tears.
"I'm sorry Scott but I can't take this anymore." she sobbed and ran out of the room.
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LIFE AS IT NOW WAS
"You know that tonight is the first chance we've had to have a wedding night." he said quietly. "Last night was a disaster with Scott bawling both of us out."
"I know." she replied.
"However, I always pictured my wedding night as being something a lot different to a night picnic." he said light-heartedly.
"Me too." she said sharing the joke.
His smile faded. Hers faded too.
"Tin-Tin…" he began earnestly.
"Shh don't say anything…" she whispered. "I love you."
Their lips met.
The fire continued to burn.
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HOW SHE HAD DREAMED TO TELL THE FAMILY THE NEWS
She would have waited until she was sure. She would have hoped and prayed that she was late for only one reason. That their love had created another human being to join them in their happiness together; a loved and wanted little baby that would fill the hearts of their family with joy.
Alan would have been thrilled. He would have picked her up and swirled her around in the air and kissed her over and over again.
They would tell his grandmother first. She would be beside herself with happiness. She would ask when the baby was due. She would ask what names they were considering.
They would tell their Fathers who would both beam with pride and joy at the prospect of being grandfathers together. They would both offer Alan advice on Fatherhood. They would think back of the time when their own wives had given birth with fondness. Alan's father however would begin to worry.
They would tell his brothers who would immediately pride themselves on being prospective Uncles to this precious Tracy baby.
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HOW THE FAMILY HAD BEEN TOLD THE NEWS
She didn't know how he would take the news. She'd hoped things would right themselves when he was gone but instead she had missed another during his absence.
"How in the hell did you get yourself pregnant? You're supposed to protect yourself." he'd yelled.
"Alan I'm sorry." she'd said.
"Well you're going to get rid of it." he'd said looking her full in the face.
He'd turned away from her and left her feeling totally devastated in the hangar.
His Grandmother had guessed. She'd said
"None of us are exactly pleased sweetie."
Her Father had said, "Alan Tracy has ruined my child's life."
His Father had said, "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."
His eldest brother had said. "This could have been avoided all together if you would have taken the advice Dad gave you to protect yourself."
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LIFE AS IT NOW WAS
The kiss had lasted too long now. It was beginning to arouse him and he knew he had to stop.
His Father had told him to think of her now, not himself.
She had their baby inside her. He couldn't just do what he used to do. It might hurt her or disturb the baby.
He stopped the kiss and looked at her face in the flickering light.
"I love you." he said trying to stop the feeling that normally burned out of control in him. The feeling his father said now had to take second place to her.
"I love you too." she said.
The hand he held in his guided their joined hands to her stomach. Their hands rested there.
His passion eased and in its place rested an emotion he had never felt before.
A feeling of closeness and love he had never experienced with anyone else in his life. Until now. His wife. His baby. His own family.
The fire continued to burn.
The waves lapping the shore and the crackling of the fire were the only sounds to penetrate this island paradise.
He never wanted this precious moment to end. Ever.
Their eyes continued to meet.
"I want to call our baby Lucy." she said softly. "Your Father would like that."
"Baby we'll have a boy. It's the way it is in our family." he said almost apologetically.
"No. Something inside me says we'll have a daughter Alan." she said.
He didn't want to ruin how he felt by thinking too much right now.
"Well if it's a girl we'll call her Lucy. I'd like that too." he smiled.
The fire continued to burn.
"Alan…"
"What baby?"
"Alan…I love you."
"I love you too. More than I ever thought possible."
Silence.
"Alan…"
"Yes baby?"
"Would you make love to me?"
That jolted him out of his dream world.
"What? Here?" he asked surprised.
She still had her eyes fixed on his.
"It's my wedding night. Please make it special."
"But the baby…"
She stroked his cheek.
"You can be careful can't you?"
He nodded silently. He guessed so. He'd never been careful before. But here?
It suddenly occurred to Alan Tracy that his wedding night was about to be something special after all. In all his experience with women he had never made love to a girl on a beach in the middle of the night.
It was made all the better because it was to be to his wife.
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THE WEDDING NIGHT SHE DREAMED OF
Their Fathers had already had given them their blessing earlier tonight. It had been rough but they at least had it.
His Grandmother had been the one to suggest that he brought her here.
She didn't need to take any precautions. The time for that was past.
He would have led her to the room and shut the door, closing out everything and everybody but there were no doors here. They lay together under the night sky instead. They were trapped in their own world; a world where no one else was welcome. Not on this night anyway.
He would have invited her to share an expensive bottle of Champagne beside the bed but they finished Grandma's bottle of Shiraz by the fire instead. His eyes held hers in the glow of the firelight.
He kissed her with love, with commitment, with passion. He removed her dress himself and looked at her naked beauty for the first time as his wife. He took her for first time as his wife. He whispered, "I love you." as he released himself into her for the first time as his wife.
They would have continued to drink the wine together afterwards but there was none to be had. They would have shared the Jacuzzi together but there was only the waves running in to the shore. He lay with her in the water as he took her for the second time as his wife.
She fell asleep naked in his arms as his wife.
The firelight was dying as he held her. He reached for his discarded coat and pulled it over her.
He had never felt this way before. So satisfied. So happy.
He knew had done the right thing in San Diego.
He thought of his Grandmother's words.
"You know some of the finest loving I ever did with your Grandfather came from those times Alan."
She had been right.
This had been the finest loving he had ever made. It occurred to him that for the first time in his life he had actually made love to a woman. What he had done in the past with the other girls and even with Tin-Tin had not been lovemaking at all.
It had been lacking something.
Commitment.
He knew that now.
Tonight with her had given him total satisfaction as a man. There was no other way he could describe how he was feeling.
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Author's note - I like this Chapter. I hope there are no flames on it.
NEXT CHAPTER – ACCEPTING THE COMMITMENT
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Please enjoy it and review. mcj
CHAPTER NINE - COMMITTED TO EACH OTHER
Alan Tracy left his Father's study and knew he should have been walking upstairs to his room relieved that it was all over and he was still in one piece at the end of it.
But he wasn't relieved.
He felt worse than he had ever felt before.
The money was nothing. The thing that now bothered him the most was that he had failed her. He had failed Tin-Tin Kyrano in every possible way that he could. He'd failed her as a friend and as a man.
He paused for a moment on the balcony of the lounge to think about the words his Father had said to him.
The words her Father had said to him.
He also thought about the words he should probably have said to her before now.
Kyrano's words had affected him the most.
"By your actions you have deprived her of all of this."
He had deprived Tin-Tin of all of her dreams without even realizing he had done it. Dreams that he never knew she had but had been too self-absorbed to see.
Dreams of a perfect marriage proposal, wearing a white dress to her wedding, a perfect wedding night and a perfect situation to tell her family she was pregnant.
He wished he could do something to make these things up to her but he knew he couldn't. It was now too late.
Then his Father's words.
"You have to be considerate of her and understanding of what is happening to her. You have to put your own needs last. Do things for her that count."
He hadn't been considerate of her or understanding about how she was feeling. He hadn't thought about it if the truth was known. He didn't know enough about pregnancy to realize it was important.
His Father had pointed out that his attitude was doing nothing to cement the relationship he and Tin-Tin had. But what could he do to show consideration? What counted to her?
"I've got such a long way to go," he told himself. "And I don't even know where to start."
"Alan."
He turned in the direction of the familiar voice.
"Grandma!" he said in surprise.
She looked at him with concern fully expecting him to have suffered some sort of physical damage at the hands of at least one of those two fathers whose faces of thunder she had witnessed in the lounge earlier.
He seemed all right.
Despite being relieved,she hadn't expected him to get off this lightly.
"Are you all right sweetie?"
"Yes ma'am." he replied. "Things got a bit rough in there with Dad. But I deserved it ma'am."
"What on earth are you doing out here now then?"
"I'm thinking ma'am. I've got a lot to think about."
"Such as?"
"Making things up to Tin-Tin."
"I see. Well I agree you certainly have got a bit of work to do there young man."
They stood together in silence.
"It occurs to me it is a beautiful night." she suddenly said looking up at the stars.
"Yes Grandma it is." he replied looking skywards as well.
"You know your Grandfather and I always made the most of nights like these Alan. He'd take me down in the fields for a bit of romance under the stars. I liked nothing better than that you know."
Alan looked sideways at his Grandmother.
"Are you trying to tell me something Grandma?"
"Maybe I am. A night picnic under the stars with that little girl of yours would be romantic now wouldn't it?"
"Yes ma'am it would. If she wasn't feeling so tired and sick with the baby I'd ask her."
"Oh I don't know. Some fresh bread, legs of fried chicken, a bottle of red wine, some sweet words, a gentle touch, a kiss or two on the lips. It could cure a lot of sick and tired feelings Alan."
"Grandma. Are you saying I should be doing that?"
"I'm not saying anything but it would be a start in making things up to her wouldn't you say?"
"I guess so."
"Well the food's all done and on the bench in the kitchen if you want it. You only need to convince your little girl to go with you."
He didn't say anything. She looked straight ahead and then said bluntly.
"You know some of the finest loving I ever did with your Grandfather came from those nights Alan. I even think we made your Daddy after a night in those fields."
"Grandma. You shouldn't be telling me things like that."
"Those things are true sweetie. I wasn't always old you know."
"Grandma..." he began. She held up her hand.
"Don't say anything sweetie." she said tenderly. "You've made your Grandma a very happy old lady tonight. Take my advice now. All I want to see is the two of you happy together. You know I love your little girl."
Alan kissed the top of his Grandmother's head. She always knew exactly what to do and exactly what to say.
He went to find Tin-Tin.
He knocked on the door of her room.
"Tin-Tin." he said quietly. "Are you awake?"
The door opened. She looked at him anxiously.
"What happened?" she asked. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, a bit tough but I'm OK." Alan replied. "Baby I have something I want to ask you."
"What?"
"Would you come out on a picnic with me tonight?" he asked.
"A picnic? Now? What for Alan?"
"Well I want to take you out on a real date with me. Grandma has arranged a picnic for us. I thought we could walk to the other side of the island and light a fire on the beach. Come on baby. Please?"
She looked at him strangely. It was a bit late for him to be worrying about trying to date her. She held his child within her and they had already exchanged wedding vows. They had never actually dated. It seemed stupid to do it now.
"Alan. It's ten o'clock and you are very tired."
" I don't care how late it is if you don't. Please Tin-Tin."
She nodded her head. He always had the ability to persuade her. Those baby blue eyes and dazzling smile won her over every time.
"All right Alan. Just give me a minute to get my coat. You should get yours too. It'll be cold out on the beach."
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He walked with her to the other side of the island, holding her hand in his.
The only light showing the way was the moonlight. They finally made it to the darkened beach.
She sat on the blanket he had laid out on the beach and watched him as he moved about and gathered the driftwood. She watched him lean forward as he built the fire with the wood and other material he had brought from the villa and lit it.
She watched him stand silently as the flames flared up into the night.
He came to sit beside her on the blanket. The heat from the fire was intense. The flames flickered from his face to hers.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"It's a bit late for dinner." she said.
"I know but Grandma's made her world famous fried chicken for us." he said opening the bag. "Oh come on Tin-Tin. Everyone loves Grandma's fried chicken.Even you!"
"All right. I guess I could use something to eat and it's always good."
"I haven't eaten for two days." he admitted realizing the truth after opening the food.
"The last time was... in San Diego."
"At the Diner." she said sadly remembering the coffee and cake and its significance.
"I'll open the wine." he said awkwardly. "It's from Grandma's private collection by the look of it. It must be a special occasion. We'll make it for a wedding toast."
"All right Alan." she replied.
He fiddled around with the bottle of expensive Shiraz from his Grandmothers collection of special German wines and finally opened it. He poured each of them a glass. He raised his glass to hers.
"To us then." he said.
"Yes. To us." she replied.
Over the rim of the glass his eyes met hers
"I love you." he said softly.
"Alan..."
"I love you baby." he said again.
"I love you too." she replied taking another sip from the glass.
The chicken tasted marvelous and they were surprised that between the two of them they managed to eat all of it. The bread was crusty and delicious. The second glass of wine went down easily. The Company was good.
The fire continued to burn.
In the shadow of the fire his eyes looked into hers. She was aware of his blue eyes holding hers. She dropped hers.
"Alan..."
"I love you baby." he said again.
"I love you too."
He put down his empty glass. She put down hers. He took her hand in his. He saw the gold ring on her left hand. She was wearing it now. Their marriage and their baby was no longer their secret. It belonged to International Rescue now. It belonged to the Tracy family.
Her soft brown eyes stared into his. His lips lightly touched her forehead, her eyelids, her cheek. She closed her eyes as he kissed her. To her mind came everything that she had dreamed of. To his mind came everything that he had done. To both their minds came life as it now was for both of them.
The fire continued to burn.
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THE PROPOSAL SHE HAD DREAMED OF
He would have flown her to Paris or Rome in Tracy One pretending he was going to take her to a Fashion Show.
However he had really planned to take her to Dinner at an intimate Restaurant. A private table with its own musician awaited them. He would have had flowers delivered to the table within minutes of them arriving.
His Father had money and money was no option.
He would have ordered expensive champagne and exquisite food. He would have sipped the champagne as he gazed at her in the candlelight. As the music played he would have told her how desperately in love with her he was, how long he had loved her, and how he couldn't possibly live the rest of his life without her. He would have taken her hand in his and produced an engagement ring carefully selected from the finest Jeweler in Paris. He would have asked her to be his wife and held his breath as she considered it. She would have allowed him to worry a little before she said yes. She would have held her hand steady as he slid the ring on her finger. He would have kissed her across the table and whispered "I love you."
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THE PROPOSAL SHE HAD RECEIVED
He had sat beside her as the Doctor moved the ultrasound machine over her abdomen. She had felt like she was going to explode if she couldn't get to a bathroom soon with all the water she'd been required to drink. The image came up on the screen. A barely recognizable mass but it had a tiny head and it was the shape of a baby. It was their baby.
"Nine weeks young lady." came the Doctor's reply as he peered at the screen. "By the look of things this baby looks like being due around December 11."
He had held her hand as they left the clinic. He had opened the car door for her. He had gotten inside the car himself. He had sat silently in the Driver's seat holding on to the steering wheel. He had turned his head to look at her. He had said that it was obvious he had to stand by her after seeing the baby for himself. The only way he could do that was to marry her. He asked her to agree. He didn't have an engagement ring. They didn't have time for an engagement. That baby was due in seven months time.
She had reluctantly agreed when he pointed out there was no other way.
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LIFE AS IT NOW WAS
"I'll have to buy you an engagement ring one of these days." he said ashamed. "Once I pay Dad back the money for the mix-up I will."
"I'm in no need for that right now." she replied as she looked into his eyes. "I have you."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
The fire continued to burn.
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THE BRIDE SHE HAD DREAMED TO BE
She would have stood in her Father's apartments and twirled around happily in front of him in her long white dress with its' exquisite beading and long train. It would have been the gown she had requested to be modified after seeing it at the Milan Fashion Show. He had allowed her to engage that Designer in Milan.
His Father had money and money was no option.
Her joy would have been complete as she finished her make-up and her Father slipped the special diamond necklace about her throat. It would have been her Mother's necklace. The only thing her mother had left her when she had gone. Her Father had kept it for her wedding day.
Her face would have been the happiest it had ever been in her life. She would have felt special. She was going to marry the youngest of the Tracy sons who had loved her for twelve years. She would walk with her Father down onto that beautiful beach. He would have been waiting there for her next to Scott. Scott would have been his best man. The two of them would have been dressed in suits designed in Milan.
His blue eyes would have shone with love when he saw what a beautiful bride she was. He would have found it hard to contain himself as he waited to pull back her veil and kiss her when they were declared husband and wife. He would have kissed her tenderly in front of them all and they would all have applauded loudly.
They would have held hands and mingled amongst the guests and accepted their congratulations. They would have cut the special wedding cake his Grandmother had lovingly made. He would have kissed her and said, "I love you Mrs. Tracy."
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THE BRIDE SHE HAD BEEN
He wore jeans and a designer shirt. She wore a dress that had been worn quite a few times before. Her hair was dressed loosely. The only make-up she wore was her signature red lipstick against her deathly pale face.
The forms took ages to complete and it didn't help that the pen at this place kept refusing to work. He had used his credit card to pay the license fee. They had needed witnesses. Two staff members agreed to stand in but asked if they could hurry it up a little as they wanted to go home. He had stood beside her in front of the celebrant who performed the standard service for the fee. He slid the hurriedly purchased wedding ring on her finger. He gave her a short kiss on the lips as they were pronounced husband and wife. She had burst into tears. He had hugged her to his chest and said how sorry he was that her wedding day had to be like this. They signed the papers. The witnesses signed the papers and left to go home. Alan had thanked the celebrant.
He walked to the end of the street holding her hand. He offered to buy her a cup of coffee at the Diner there. He'd ordered two cups of coffee and two slices of cake. They drank the coffee in silence. He had joked that this was their wedding cake. She ate the cake and had to rush to the bathroom to throw up.
They had gone straight to the airport. They were due at the base.
No time to say, "I love you Mrs. Tracy."
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LIFE AS IT NOW WAS
"Your Father said you always wanted to wear a white dress on your wedding day." he said with guilt.
"It would have been nice. I've always dreamed of that. A designer one with a veil."
"I know baby. I'm sorry."
"It doesn't matter." she replied looking into his eyes. "I have you."
"I love you Tin-Tin."
"I love you too."
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THE WEDDING NIGHT SHE HAD DREAMED OF
They would have finally been left alone after the guests had all gone. His brothers would have made their usual erotic and witty remarks before leaving the room with a jealous glance at his good fortune. The two of them would have watched them go, knowing the delicious sensations that were to follow.
Their Fathers would have given them their blessing.
His Grandmother would be hoping they were not taking any precautions.
He would have led her to the room and shut the door, closing out everything and everybody. They would have been trapped in their own world; a world where no one else was welcome. Not on this night anyway.
He would have invited her to share the expensive bottle of Champagne beside the bed. His eyes would have held hers in the glow of the bedside lamp.
He would have kissed her with love, with commitment, with passion. He would have removed her expensive dress himself and looked at her naked beauty for the first time as his wife. He would have taken her for first time as his wife. He would have whispered, "I love you." as he released himself into her for the first time as his wife.
They would have continued to drink the champagne together and shared the Jacuzzi together. He would then have taken her the second time as his wife.
She would have fallen asleep naked in his arms as his wife.
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THE WEDDING NIGHT SHE HAD
"Where the hell have you been?"
"WELL?" he barked. "AREN'T EITHER OF YOU GOING TO SAY ANYTHING?"
"No Sir." said Alan quietly.
'WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO?"
"I'm late back. I know that Scott. There's nothing more I can say."
"Hey calm down Conan. Nothing happened and they're here now."
'HERE NOW? DO YOU TWO THINK YOU'RE BLOODY HERE? LOOK AT YOU. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME EITHER OF YOU GOT ANY SLEEP? WHAT IF I NEED YOU FOR A TWELVE HOUR FLIGHT RIGHT NOW ALAN HUH?"
"AND DON'T TELL ME YOU COULD GO BECAUSE IF YOU DO THAT ONLY PROVES TO ME HOW IRRESPONSIBLE YOU REALLY ARE!"
'WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING? I'M NOT THROUGH WITH YOU YET"
"AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED YOU'VE SAID ENOUGH. I'M GOING TO BED IN CASE THERE'S A CALL!"
'YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!'
'YOU GO TO HELL! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER SCOTT!"
Scott swung around to look back at Tin-Tin.
"What about you? Do you have anything to say for yourself? Brains needed you today. I might remind you Tin-Tin that you are a member of this Organization too. You should have ensured my order was obeyed."
She burst into tears.
"I'm sorry Scott but I can't take this anymore." she sobbed and ran out of the room.
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LIFE AS IT NOW WAS
"You know that tonight is the first chance we've had to have a wedding night." he said quietly. "Last night was a disaster with Scott bawling both of us out."
"I know." she replied.
"However, I always pictured my wedding night as being something a lot different to a night picnic." he said light-heartedly.
"Me too." she said sharing the joke.
His smile faded. Hers faded too.
"Tin-Tin…" he began earnestly.
"Shh don't say anything…" she whispered. "I love you."
Their lips met.
The fire continued to burn.
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HOW SHE HAD DREAMED TO TELL THE FAMILY THE NEWS
She would have waited until she was sure. She would have hoped and prayed that she was late for only one reason. That their love had created another human being to join them in their happiness together; a loved and wanted little baby that would fill the hearts of their family with joy.
Alan would have been thrilled. He would have picked her up and swirled her around in the air and kissed her over and over again.
They would tell his grandmother first. She would be beside herself with happiness. She would ask when the baby was due. She would ask what names they were considering.
They would tell their Fathers who would both beam with pride and joy at the prospect of being grandfathers together. They would both offer Alan advice on Fatherhood. They would think back of the time when their own wives had given birth with fondness. Alan's father however would begin to worry.
They would tell his brothers who would immediately pride themselves on being prospective Uncles to this precious Tracy baby.
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HOW THE FAMILY HAD BEEN TOLD THE NEWS
She didn't know how he would take the news. She'd hoped things would right themselves when he was gone but instead she had missed another during his absence.
"How in the hell did you get yourself pregnant? You're supposed to protect yourself." he'd yelled.
"Alan I'm sorry." she'd said.
"Well you're going to get rid of it." he'd said looking her full in the face.
He'd turned away from her and left her feeling totally devastated in the hangar.
His Grandmother had guessed. She'd said
"None of us are exactly pleased sweetie."
Her Father had said, "Alan Tracy has ruined my child's life."
His Father had said, "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."
His eldest brother had said. "This could have been avoided all together if you would have taken the advice Dad gave you to protect yourself."
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LIFE AS IT NOW WAS
The kiss had lasted too long now. It was beginning to arouse him and he knew he had to stop.
His Father had told him to think of her now, not himself.
She had their baby inside her. He couldn't just do what he used to do. It might hurt her or disturb the baby.
He stopped the kiss and looked at her face in the flickering light.
"I love you." he said trying to stop the feeling that normally burned out of control in him. The feeling his father said now had to take second place to her.
"I love you too." she said.
The hand he held in his guided their joined hands to her stomach. Their hands rested there.
His passion eased and in its place rested an emotion he had never felt before.
A feeling of closeness and love he had never experienced with anyone else in his life. Until now. His wife. His baby. His own family.
The fire continued to burn.
The waves lapping the shore and the crackling of the fire were the only sounds to penetrate this island paradise.
He never wanted this precious moment to end. Ever.
Their eyes continued to meet.
"I want to call our baby Lucy." she said softly. "Your Father would like that."
"Baby we'll have a boy. It's the way it is in our family." he said almost apologetically.
"No. Something inside me says we'll have a daughter Alan." she said.
He didn't want to ruin how he felt by thinking too much right now.
"Well if it's a girl we'll call her Lucy. I'd like that too." he smiled.
The fire continued to burn.
"Alan…"
"What baby?"
"Alan…I love you."
"I love you too. More than I ever thought possible."
Silence.
"Alan…"
"Yes baby?"
"Would you make love to me?"
That jolted him out of his dream world.
"What? Here?" he asked surprised.
She still had her eyes fixed on his.
"It's my wedding night. Please make it special."
"But the baby…"
She stroked his cheek.
"You can be careful can't you?"
He nodded silently. He guessed so. He'd never been careful before. But here?
It suddenly occurred to Alan Tracy that his wedding night was about to be something special after all. In all his experience with women he had never made love to a girl on a beach in the middle of the night.
It was made all the better because it was to be to his wife.
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THE WEDDING NIGHT SHE DREAMED OF
Their Fathers had already had given them their blessing earlier tonight. It had been rough but they at least had it.
His Grandmother had been the one to suggest that he brought her here.
She didn't need to take any precautions. The time for that was past.
He would have led her to the room and shut the door, closing out everything and everybody but there were no doors here. They lay together under the night sky instead. They were trapped in their own world; a world where no one else was welcome. Not on this night anyway.
He would have invited her to share an expensive bottle of Champagne beside the bed but they finished Grandma's bottle of Shiraz by the fire instead. His eyes held hers in the glow of the firelight.
He kissed her with love, with commitment, with passion. He removed her dress himself and looked at her naked beauty for the first time as his wife. He took her for first time as his wife. He whispered, "I love you." as he released himself into her for the first time as his wife.
They would have continued to drink the wine together afterwards but there was none to be had. They would have shared the Jacuzzi together but there was only the waves running in to the shore. He lay with her in the water as he took her for the second time as his wife.
She fell asleep naked in his arms as his wife.
The firelight was dying as he held her. He reached for his discarded coat and pulled it over her.
He had never felt this way before. So satisfied. So happy.
He knew had done the right thing in San Diego.
He thought of his Grandmother's words.
"You know some of the finest loving I ever did with your Grandfather came from those times Alan."
She had been right.
This had been the finest loving he had ever made. It occurred to him that for the first time in his life he had actually made love to a woman. What he had done in the past with the other girls and even with Tin-Tin had not been lovemaking at all.
It had been lacking something.
Commitment.
He knew that now.
Tonight with her had given him total satisfaction as a man. There was no other way he could describe how he was feeling.
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Author's note - I like this Chapter. I hope there are no flames on it.
NEXT CHAPTER – ACCEPTING THE COMMITMENT
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