Author's Note - This Chapter is very long and as such as has been divided into four parts. Worry - Fear - Terror and ??? The cards do not stack well in the Tracy family. Thank you to my friend Lady Viva for her encouragement. Please review. mcj
CHAPTER ELEVEN - FAMILY COMMITMENT
THE BIRTH OF LUCY TRACY - PART ONE- WORRY
Brains looked up from the plans he was studying in great depth as the elevator shaft stopped at the laboratory door, indicating he had company. Jeff Tracy exited the elevator, closely followed by his two eldest sons.
"Good a..afternoon M...Mr Tracy. Scott. V...Virgil." he stammered.
Scott and Virgil both spoke in unison.
"Hey there Brains."
"Hi Brains."
"So Brains…" Jeff asked. "How's it all coming?"
"Err…unfortunately M… M… Mr. Tracy n...not too good I'm afraid." Brains replied.
Jeff walked over to view the plans which were laid out across the table. Scott and Virgil came to stand beside him. All four men scanned the design carefully. After a few minutes Jeff looked over the top of Brains at both of his sons. They silently shook their heads in response to his questioning eyes.
Jeff Tracy frowned. It obviously wasn't what Scott and Virgil wanted either. This was becoming frustrating. They were now up to the fourth set of plans and this new equipment was crucial to avoid a repeat of last month's failure.
Last month had been only the third failure in the history of International Rescue and it had been a major one. Seventeen lives had been lost in that attempted rescue. All four Tracy brothers had been devastated as the mole failed to reach seventeen miners trapped under tonnes of rubble before they died. It had been the first time the mole had ever been too slow but the going had been tough with the limited space at the mouth of the mine. Tougher still was the very limited time they had been given to try to save the men.
Scott had been forced to radio his Father to report that once the mole had broken through, all Gordon and Alan could find in the mine were "deceased persons". Scott almost choked on the words of failure as he uttered them. He didn't fail. International Rescue shouldn't have failed either.
In the debriefing that followed, Jeff Tracy reminded his distraught sons that the mole had still been faster than the conventional equipment tried by the emergency services before calling them in. If they had been called earlier perhaps the Mole would have made it. He said that they had to accept International Rescue had done its best even though it had failed on this occasion. Failures were rare but they happened.
However Scott and Virgil had taken the failure personally. Virgil had been operating the equipment and Scott had been manning mobile control issuing the instructions. The two of them had exchanged sharp words when Scott realised the mole wasn't going to make it in time. He had urged Virgil to move faster. Virgil knew he couldn't. The two brothers now wanted something done about it.
Jeff continued to stress to his sons that the mole was still the fastest drilling equipment in existence. However Scott kept re-iterating to his Father that the mole had simply not been fast enough to reach those people in time. It had been too big and cumbersome to work swiftly in the conditions they had encountered without risking injury to the victims. What they needed was something smaller, faster and highly effective.
Jeff had turned to Brains to design what his sons needed. International Rescue had to have the latest and best equipment and they needed it now. Jeff Tracy was annoyed with himself for failing to foresee the need for this particular machine. Seventeen families had lost loved ones because of it. It couldn't be allowed to happen again and it wouldn't if he had anything to do with it.
Unfortunately Brains and Tin-Tin had been working on the design for over three weeks now and by the look of the latest plans they were no closer to designing what was required.
"No Brains. " Jeff sighed. " That doesn't look like what we're after. Are you sure you're using the right calculations with the design?"
Brains looked nervous. The calculations were Tin-Tin's area of expertise and he had noticed lately that quite a few of them had been very inaccurate. The calculations on this set of plans were imprecise to say the least and he had asked her to look at them again.
Brains knew Tin-Tin was brilliant at mathematical formulas and his designs usually fell into place immediately with her assistance. The two of them were normally a great team but at the moment he knew that she was not coping well carrying her baby. She was also not producing her usual high standard of work and unfortunately it came at a time when International Rescue really needed it.
"Err… Mr.Tracy… I believe Tin-Tin was r..revisiting some of those later on tonight."
Jeff looked irritated. He needed the design completed. It was going to take three months to build once they'd agreed on it. Any further delays were going to cost more lives.
"So where is she now Brains?" he asked trying not to show his annoyance.
"Err… I believe she is sleeping M...Mr Tracy." he replied. "But s..since A...Alan has b...been in Thunderbird Five s..she's been working late into the evening to m…make up for it."
"OK then Brains." Jeff nodded looking less than impressed. "If you think the formula change will alter things I'll wait until she has a look at it tonight and all of us will discuss it in the morning."
Jeff left the laboratory disappointed. He needed that design and Tin-Tin was holding things up.
"I suppose the delay can't be helped," he thought as he ascended in the elevator. "The girl is eight months pregnant." He remembered Lucy had been hopeless in her ninth month. She'd been forgetful and vague sometimes too and all she'd wanted to do was sleep.
As Tin-Tin's father-in-law he understood perfectly how she must be feeling. As the head of International Rescue he needed that design and was annoyed that his Assistant Engineer was letting him down at the moment.
However he knew better than to say anything especially around his Mother. She had been treating Tin-Tin like a crystal vase for the past six months, interfering in everything to do with her pregnancy. She'd also had far too much to say about Tin-Tin's involvement in International Rescue matters which hadn't sat too well with him lately. He had expectations of Tin-Tin just as he had of his sons. He'd bitten his tongue several times at his mother's uninvited interference and he'd be biting it now as he went upstairs. His mother was protective but she was worse when Alan was on rotation.
And Alan was on rotation. His last rotation before the birth. He had two weeks left in Thunderbird Five and then one week at Tracy Enterprises in New York. The baby was due in four weeks.
"I'd better have that design before then." he muttered as he exited the elevator upstairs.
Josie and John Tracy looked up from their chess game as he returned to his desk and sat down with a degree of resignation. John recognised his annoyed look. So did Josie.
"How's the design coming along then Dad?" asked John with interest as he moved his chess piece with a grin. He had her now.
"John it isn't I'm afraid." he said in a disgruntled tone looking at the pile of papers in front of him. "Tin-Tin's looking at it again tonight I understand."
"Jeff she should be resting not working." Josie protested immediately.
"Mother." he snapped without looking up. "She's resting now."
"That poor little child is nearly ready to birth your grandchild and you've still got her chained to that desk working on your designs." she continued. "You might be a workaholic Jeff but she isn't. Check-mate John!"
John looked at her startled. There she was chewing his Father's ear and at the same time she was still able to out-smart him. His Grandmother never ceased to amaze him.
"She's not chained to the desk Mother. You're exaggerating as usual. Brains told me she's been working in the evenings instead of during the day. And during the day she's resting all right?" he said deliberately.
"Mmmm." she frowned disapprovingly turning back to the elder of her two blonde grandsons. She looked at the chess board and then at John.
"I'll play you again sweetie but please make sure you pay attention this time."
Scott and Virgil returned upstairs, deep in discussion. The two of them came to sit in front of their Father. Jeff gave them both a warning glance before they spoke indicating that their Grandmother was nearby. Scott recognised the glance. Virgil didn't.
"Dad. Brains' design is basically good but Tin-Tin's calculations are hopeless at the moment." he exclaimed. "I don't know how she could be that far out."
Jeff grimaced as he saw his mother turn around and glare.
"They're tough calculations Virgil. Brains said she'll fix them tonight." he replied intentionally.
"I hope Tin-Tin understands the urgency of this knowing how we felt pulling all those dead bodies out of that mine." he continued despite the fact that his Father had kicked him twice under the desk to remain silent.
"Young man!"Josie thundered. "If you had a belly full of baby like that little girl you'd want everyone to be understanding of you I'm sure."
Virgil reddened as he turned to her. "Sorry Grandma I didn't mean to sound rude. I'm just anxious that's all. Pulling out those dead men was the worst feeling I've ever had and I don't want it to happen again."
Josie stood up and looked imperiously around the room.
"Now all of you listen here to me! Tin-Tin's feeling the worst she's ever felt too right at the minute. Stop your complaining all of you."
"Mother I am not complaining honestly." Jeff sighed. "I just need that design."
"You'll get your silly design. That little girl has never let you down Jeff Tracy and don't you forget that."
Jeff bit his tongue...again. He only had four more weeks to put up with her interference. After that he knew his mother would be too pre-occupied with fussing over her great grandchild to give him grief like she was at the moment.
"You're right of course mother." he smiled through clenched teeth. "I'm sure she'll have it for me soon."
Tin-Tin Tracy swallowed as she listened to the conversation in the next room. Her mistakes were obviously major and were now impacting on International Rescue. She had better work harder.
But she was tired and hadn't felt well for three days now...
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Another week passed and they were still no closer to agreement on the design for the new equipment. The two of them now discussed plan number seven. It was eight o'clock in the evening and they had been in the laboratory all day. Tin-Tin felt exhausted. Her back hurt, her feet and hands were swollen and now the baby had started kicking too.
Tin-Tin placed one hand in the small of her back and the other on her hugely distended stomach and grimaced.
"A...Are you a...all right Tin-Tin?" Brains asked looking worried.
Her hand moved to her temple as he spoke. Her head hurt like crazy too.
She flashed him a tired smile.
"Yes of course I am but I really think I need to sit down for a bit Brains. I've been on my feet down here for days and the weight of this baby isn't helping things."
Brains looked at how large her stomach was. Being the genius he was he marvelled at the extent that Tin-Tin's body had expanded to accommodate Alan's child over the past six months. If only they could emulate that capacity in the engineering world he thought to himself.
"You c...certainly have gr...grown Tin-Tin."
She looked down at herself and sighed.
"Imagine how big I'll be in another three weeks. I've doubled in size these past two weeks. I don't know what Alan's going to say when he sees me."
"Uhhh probably the same as me I think."
"Yes well I'm hardly attractive to anyone looking like this." she grumbled as she sat down and began the calculations. "Especially to Alan."
As she worked her pencil slipped from her swollen fingers and onto the floor.
"Damn it!" she snapped. " I can't even hold onto a stupid pencil let alone get this right."
Brains stepped forward to pick up the pencil as he anxiously peered at the formula.
"N...No Tin-Tin." he said pointing at the error. "T..That should be squared not m...multiplied."
She looked at the calculation. He was right. She'd been thinking about how bad her head was hurting and not concentrating again. Tears formed in her eyes as she threw the pencil across the room in frustration.
"M..Maybe we should call it a d...day Tin-Tin." said Brains carefully picking up the pencil again.
"I know Mr. Tracy needs this Brains." she said apologetically . "And I'm sorry it's taking me so long. I'll take a break for dinner and then I'll come back and work on it a bit longer."
"P..Perhaps it would be best if you r...rested Tin-Tin. Y...You look t..terrible."
"Thanks Brains." she said flatly. " I really needed you to say that to me the way I feel at the moment."
Brains decided by her tone that he'd said enough for one day if he wanted to stay out of trouble. But he was a little worried and wondered if he should speak to Josie Tracy about it. Tin-Tin really didn't look very well and hadn't looked well all day. She hadn't looked well for several days now. No he guessed he'd better not tell Josie. The designs would never be finished.
"There you are!" exclaimed Josie Tracy as the two of them entered the dining room. "I was starting to think you weren't going to join us."
She looked at Tin-Tin.
"How are you dear?"
"I'm a little tired Mrs Tracy."
"It's Grandma." she pointed out.
Jeff Tracy looked at Brains expectantly. Brains shook his head indicating the design still wasn't ready. Jeff said nothing. He didn't need to. His disapproval was apparent on his face.
Tin-Tin saw their silent exchange.
"Mr. Tracy I'm working on it tonight." she said anxiously. "I'll finish it for you as soon as I can I promise. The calculations are difficult Sir."
Josie passed her the vegetables.
"You just forget about work young lady." she directed. " You concentrate on nourishing my great grandchild."
Tin-Tin almost dropped the plate as she tried to hold it.
"I'm sorry Grandma." she apologised. "I'm a bit clumsy at the moment with my hands all swollen up. Would you mind doing this for me?"
Josie looked at the young girl's fingers as she took the plate from her. She began to worry at the extent of the swelling in them.
"You've been on your feet for far too long today sweetie. I've no doubt your ankles are swollen too. You need to have a good lie down after this. There'll be no more work for you tonight."
"But Mrs Tracy I have to..."
"It's Grandma. And don't argue dear. I know what's best for you and that baby of yours. Now eat your dinner and get ready for bed. I'll be seeing to you myself."
Jeff Tracy bit his tongue again. His mother was still interfering in International Rescue business and he still didn't have that design.
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Alan Tracy paced the floor of Thunderbird Five like a caged lion. This had been the longest rotation of his life and he still had a week of it to go.
God he hated it up here and if that wasn't bad enough he then had to endure another week away from home with Hank Davies ordering him around in New York.
The week in New York working for his Father immediately after the four week stint in Thunderbird Five had really knocked him around these past six months and he was getting tired. Tired in body and tired in spirit.
He just wanted to go home.
He had asked his Father if he could give New York a miss this one time after the rotation. He wanted to be with Tin-Tin for her last two weeks. He felt she needed to have him nearby even if he couldn't do anything.
Jeff Tracy had refused pointing out to Alan that he still owed him a good deal of money and that there was ample time for him to fulfil his commitments in New York before the baby would come.
"First babies are usually late." he said. "And you know you have a job to do son."
"If he would have let me race in the Sans I'd have paid him back by now." Alan complained loudly in a disgruntled voice with no-one up in the satellite to hear him. "...and I could have been with Tin-Tin next week. I hardly see her anymore between this damned place and New York."
He started to think about Tin-Tin and wondered how she was coping without him.
Surprisingly for a young woman who was capable of doing anything on her own, Tin-Tin had not coped well with the pregnancy changes at all . He had certainly found that out the hard way. Everything his Father had said would happen had happened. She had been irritable and unhappy as her shape changed. She had cried about how fat she was getting and how unattractive she thought she was to him. He had taken her in his arms and tried to tell her it didn't make any difference to him but it didn't seem to make her feel any better. He had been forced to recall his Father's words over and over.
"Love her no matter what you get back in return. Remember you did this to her in the first place."
Well he was trying to love her and he was trying to remember that it was him that did it to her but boy it was tough sometimes.
However despite it all, both he and Tin-Tin were looking forward to the birth of their baby now and they had every reason to be excited about it. It would be the most happy and special day the Tracy family had experienced in a long very time. Only the two of them knew why.
Four weeks ago he had sat by Tin-Tin's by side holding her hand as she underwent her final scan of their baby in San Diego. The Doctor had asked if the two of them wanted to know the sex of the baby and after some hesitation on their part they had agreed they wanted to know.
The Doctor told them that their baby was a little girl. Alan's hand had squeezed hers with elation as her eyes had filled with happy tears. Once outside the Doctor's Office he had gathered her up in his arms and kissed her over and over again and he hadn't cared who saw him or what anyone said. A girl! A baby girl!
After seeing that photo of Tin-Tin as a beautiful three year old child in Kyrano's private rooms, Alan Tracy had secretly wanted this baby to be a little girl.
Now his dream had come true and he was delighted.
He had stood kissing her in the same foyer where he had stood six months ago as an arrogant brat. A spoilt rich man's brat who had brought his lover to have the product of his lust aborted. Now he stood kissing the same woman with absolute joy because she would give birth to that precious little girl. Tin-Tin was still his lover but she had now become much more than that and would always be much more than that. She was now his wife.
How could he have ever thought about aborting their baby? Life had certainly turned around for him for the better since the day that voice had made him have a good look at himself.
His father did not think he was capable of fathering a daughter. He kept asking him what he would be naming his son. Alan kept saying he and Tin-Tin had not decided. No-one had asked about naming a daughter.
Alan knew his Father would be delighted to have a grand-daughter and his Grandmother would be overjoyed. It would thrill them both more when he told them she would be christened after the two women who were instrumental in the Tracy family; "Lucy Josephine."
Lucy Josephine Tracy; the first little girl to be born to the Tracy family in six generations and the Tracy son who had fathered her hadn't wanted to be a Father at all.
He was now the Tracy son who looked forward to the birth more than anyone.
Only the two of them knew about Lucy Josephine at the moment and it was news that they were not prepared to share with anyone.
They had shopped for baby's clothing that day and wanting to hug the secret to themselves like two naughty schoolchildren, they had purchased everything they were taking with them in blue. That would keep everyone guessing. The mountain of other things they had purchased to be held at the store for collection in December were delicate feminine colours that reflected Tin-Tin's eloquent taste.
One purchase however had been special and only Alan Shepherd Tracy knew about it.
As Tin-Tin rested in the hotel before their flight home, Alan had returned to the store alone. He had seen a bracelet earlier. He had looked at it while Tin-Tin was deciding what outfit she would bring the newest member of International Rescue home in. The tiny gold bracelet had two small pink ivory hearts resting daintily on either side of its name plate. Tin-Tin had called him away and asked him to purchase the outfit for the baby. He had smiled at her and forgotten all about the bracelet.
Later that day he had held the bracelet in the palm of his hand marvelling at how small and delicate it was. He knew his little Lucy Josephine would be small and delicate like Tin-Tin and he wanted the first gift she received in her life to be from her Daddy.
Her very young, very frightened and very inexperienced Daddy.
The Daddy who remembered what he had nearly done to her and wanted show how sorry he felt. This was the only way he knew how.
Alan had purchased the tiny gift for his baby daughter that afternoon and arranged for it to be engraved with the two names that meant so much to the Tracy family. He had carried it with him ever since and often looked at it when he missed Tin-Tin up here in Thunderbird Five. He also carried with him something else he had purchased that afternoon. Something he knew Tin-Tin had wanted from him for a long time and something he would finally give her without reservation when she gave birth to his daughter.
Alan yawned as he paced. He never slept well up here. He always lay half awake listening for a rescue call. It had been worse since the failure in the mine. Time was critical. They had found that out the hard way! They had to act immediately and whoever was in the satellite was responsible for acting.
He wondered if Brains and Tin-Tin had had any success with the design of the new equipment they needed to avoid a recurrence of that disaster. He'd hated the feeling of failure as they pulled those bodies from the mine. Someone's Father. Someone's son. Someone's husband.He had felt useless. More useless than he felt sitting up here hour after hour, day after day.
He looked at the clock which showed Tracy Island time.
Ten o'clock in the evening.
He'd call and see how the design was coming on...and ask after Tin-Tin.
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"This is Jeff Tracy. Go ahead Alan."
Jeff Tracy looked at his youngest son on the monitor. The boy looked tired. Both he and John always started to look that way in the last week before rotation. Those long, lonely, incessant hours in space were tough and took their toll on his sons.
"Hi Dad. I was just calling to check on Tin-Tin."
"Tin-Tin's fine." Jeff said. "A bit tired but all right. She's lying down at present."
"My Grandma again?"
"Yes Alan. Your Grandmother again!"
"I guess I won't ask to speak with her then. By the way Dad, how's the design coming?"
"Slowly." Jeff replied carefully knowing that Alan would pick up on any negativity. "Tin-Tin was going to finish it off tonight but..."
"Grandma again?"
"Yes Grandma again!"
There was an uncomfortable silence. Jeff Tracy look inquisitively at his son.
"Any action to report Alan?"
"No Dad but I've been keeping an eye on a situation over in the north of Italy. There is some bad flooding going on but things seem to be under control."
"Well continue on with that but if we're needed Alan let me know quickly. We don't want a repeat of that mine."
"No Sir we don't."
Alan looked at his Father who expected him to end the call. He had really only called base to talk to her.
"Dad I know you don't like me jamming up the frequency but could I talk to Tin-Tin please Sir? I haven't seen her for over three weeks now and I just want to see for myself that she's all right."
Jeff Tracy looked at his son's worried expression. He remembered how much he'd worried about Lucy too when she was due to give birth to Scott and he was in mandatory live-in training. He had stolen out of the training camp in the middle of the night to see her and hear her say she and the baby were all right. He knew how Alan felt but he couldn't afford the frequency to be tied up for too long.
"All right son. I'll put you through to your apartments but keep it brief all right?"
"Yes Sir. I'll only be a few minutes."
Tin-Tin lay fast asleep on the king size bed in the new four room apartment Jeff Tracy had constructed in the villa for the two of them after their wedding. It had been tastefully fitted with a bedroom, a nursery, a bathroom, and a small living area.
Josie stood beside the bed worrying about the size of Tin-Tin ankles when she saw her wrist communicator flashing. She frowned in disapproval. It was probably Jeff again wanting her to work on that stupid design of his. Poor little girl, she thought.
Tin-Tin woke up with a start and answered the communicator. Her face lit up into an instant smile. Josie knew only one person who could make Tin-Tin's features light up like that.
Her youngest Grandson.
She was surprised Jeff had allowed Alan to talk to her. He hated the frequencies in Thunderbird Five being tied up for personal calls.
She stood up and left the room knowing they would want to talk privately.
"You stay on that bed now young lady!" she warned as she left the room. "That swelling has to go down before I'll be letting you up again."
Tin-Tin rolled her eyes as she looked at Alan.
"Let me guess? Grandma?" he laughed.
"Yes Alan your Grandma! She's driving me crazy. She'd have me trying to work flat on my back if she could."
"Dad said you were going to work tonight." he frowned. "And like my Grandma, I don't know if I approve of that."
"Alan you know I have to get this design finished and I'm hardly very quick with the formulas at the moment. I have to work."
"Yeah well you slow down young lady or you'll be dealing with me!" he laughed doing a dreadful impersonation of his Grandmother.
"Alan. Stop it! I know she means well."
"Yeah that's why she's driving you crazy right? Wait until she's got our little girl to love. She'll drive me crazy then on how to raise her."
"Shh...that's our secret. Someone might overhear you."
"Why who else is there?" he asked.
"Well...no-one."
"Well then I can say what I like to you then can't I?"
"I guess."
"I could say lots of personal and very intimate things baby."
"I wish you would."
"What sorts of personal things would you like to hear? That I love you?"
"Yes."
"And I miss you."
"Yes."
"And I want you."
Her face fell.
"No you wouldn't want me like this. You should see me at the moment. I'm huge."
"I can see you and I'm not complaining." he said ignoring the fact that he had never seen her face so swollen. He smiled mischievously. "And I do want you Tin-Tin. Boy do I ever want you."
"I want you too Alan."
"Not as much as I want you."
"Maybe..."
"There are no maybe's where you are concerned baby."
They were silent as they looked at each other lovingly.
"And how is my little girl?"
"She's fine. I'm going for my check-up tomorrow with Grandma but I'm sure everything's OK with her."
"And what about her mommy? Is she OK?"
"I'm fine too. Although..."
She saw his face instantly cloud with worry.
"What?"
"No. It's nothing. I've had a lot of swelling in my hands and feet Alan and a bit of a headache these past few days."
"It's all those hours you're working baby."
"We've already discussed that. It's my job Alan."
"Yeah well you'd be on maternity leave in any other job. Now you take it easy Tin-Tin or I'll talk to Grandma about you myself. You really will have something to complain about then.
They both laughed and as they looked at each other their faces fell as they realised the call had to come to an end.
"Baby. I love you." he whispered.
"I love you too Alan."
"I miss you so much."
"I miss you too."
"I wish I was there with you."
She looked longingly at his tired, handsome face. She wanted to feel his arms around her but International Rescue dictated that those arms stayed out there empty in the lonliness of space.
"You look so tired Alan. Don't worry you'll be home soon."
"No I still have to go to New York after rotation."
"I wish your Father would change his mind about that Alan."
"Honey Dad's flashing me to leave the frequency. I've got to go now..."
"No Alan please don't go. .." she began begging him to talk just a little longer.
"This is Thunderbird Five. Alan Tracy out."
Tears welled in Tin-Tin's eyes. She really missed Alan and wanted him to come home.
She ran her hands over her bump and felt the kicking of their baby.
"Lucy you're going to miss your Daddy when he goes away just as much as I do. Your Grandfather sends him away for International Rescue far too much." she whispered. "It's not fair to either of us anymore."
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Josie Tracy looked around the kitchen with great authority as she waited anxiously for Kyrano to brew some fresh coffee for her son.
"Kyrano you're going to have to watch that little girl of yours you know." she commented sharply looking at him and speaking with her usual directness.
Jeff had decided to wait up while Alan monitored the situation in Italy and it looked like being a long night with quite a few cups of coffee ahead.
"How so Mrs Tracy?" asked Kyrano turning to look at her.
"She's working far too hard and running herself into the ground for International Rescue at the moment. And to be quite frank with you Kyrano I'm worried about her."
Kyrano nodded. He was worried too. He had noticed Tin-Tin's tired and swollen appearance these last few days and had intended to speak with her reminding her of the need to rest. His daughter was only a slight young girl and it was obvious to Kyrano that she was really struggling to carry her child now. It concerned him she still had three weeks to go.
"She wouldn't be working like that if my Grandson was here." Josie remarked. "Alan would soon set his Father straight."
"Yes young Mr. Alan certainly speaks his mind these days." Kyrano agreed.
Kyrano now unequivocally approved of his daughter's marriage to Alan Tracy. Jeff Tracy's youngest son had grown up quickly since marrying Tin-Tin and it was clear that he obviously loved her and was making a big effort to make her happy.
He had also become very forthright in his opinions, particularly where Tin-Tin's health or well-being was concerned. If Alan were here now Kyrano knew Tin-Tin would be nowhere near that laboratory. But he wasn't here and he took Josie's point about how hard she was working at the moment.
"The child is very large too Mrs. Tracy do you not think?" Kyrano asked her.
Josie nodded. She had been observing that. She had made a mental note for herself to speak with Tin-Tin's doctor about it.
"Yes I've a feeling that she is going to need a caesarian delivery if that baby gets much bigger."
"I'm not in favour of that at all." a voice behind her said bluntly.
It was Jeff who had come to find out why his coffee was taking so long.
"Now Jeff don't you start your worrying again. I know you're not in favour of it for obvious reasons but the baby is big and you're not going to be the one doing all the laboring."
Jeff frowned. Scott had been a big baby and Lucy had delivered him naturally. Admittedly she'd had a hard time of it but she had managed it all the same. Lucy hadn't been any bigger than Tin-Tin so a caesarian birth shouldn't be necessary. Especially after what had happened to Lucy with Alan.
"I'm just covering the bases Jeff. We don't want any mistakes this time do we?" she asked deliberately hoping he would take the point and keep out of things.
"I'm still not keen on the idea." he replied in a disgruntled tone. "It's too dangerous."
"Oh Jeff don't be silly. It's not dangerous. When they're well planned there's nothing to worry about." Josie snapped. He was making her nervous.
"The Doctor will give my daughter good advice Mr. Tracy." Kyrano assured him seeing the tension building between Jeff Tracy and his mother. "Please do not worry."
"Yeah well a certain Doctor didn't give my wife good advice twenty-one years ago "Jeff Tracy said directly.
He turned to leave the kitchen with his coffee in hand as he looked straight into Kyrano's eyes. "And you know I lost Lucy as a result of it Kyrano."
Josie watched him go. Despite all of his carrying on about the importance of designs and the tough exterior he put on, she knew deep down that Jeff Tracy was a true family man. That family man was obviously very worried about this birth. She could see it written all over his face. For him to mention Lucy's death when he never talked about it to anyone made it clear to Josie that he was becoming more than just a little anxious for Tin-Tin.
And his son.
Josie had to admit she was feeling anxious too. She had never lost that uneasy feeling she had felt in Tin-Tin's room nearly six months ago as she watched her sleep.
Her intuition was pretty good too.
No.
Jeff was just starting to unnerve her with all his worrying.
It had to be bad memories that hopefully would heal in this family soon.
It wouldn't happen again.
Could it?
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Alan Tracy gripped the console of Thunderbird Five in fear listening to the frequency. The situation in Italy was critical. Now the floodwaters had collapsed a section of an old disused mine shaft near San Marino. Two young boys reported missing earlier had been detected in an air pocket in the shaft. The water was rising slowly in the shaft. They had radioed for International Rescue.
"Oh God." he swallowed. "Dad's going to flip.We haven't got the new equipment."
He answered the call as his stomach turned. These were not grown men in danger. These were children.
"This is International Rescue. I'm reading you. Stand by to give me your position."
He immediately contacted his Father.
"Thunderbird Five to base."
Jeff Tracy immediately appeared on the screen.
"Go ahead Alan."
"Dad... we've received a distress call from that Italian situation I was monitoring. There are two kids trapped in an air pocket in an old disused mine. The floodwaters I told you about before have collapsed the mine. The water is rising Sir. I'm getting further details now. "
Jeff's face reddened as he looked at his son with real panic.
"Damn it Alan."
"I know Sir. We don't have the new equipment yet." he said reading his Father's mind.
"Get all of the details Alan. We'll just have to do the best we can again."
Jeff moved to summon his four sons and Brains to the lounge.
Scott, Virgil and Gordon paled as they were briefed on the mission. John stood quietly. He hadn't been on the last rescue but had heard the whole thing from Thunderbird Five.
"We won't fail again right?" he asked his Father. John wasn't too keen on pulling out dead children.
Scott slammed his fist angrily into the desk when he realised they were going to need the very equipment they didn't have again.
" Damn Dad. You can't assure me it's not going to happen again. These are kids. I told you we needed that equipment quickly."
"Son it's pointless worrying about what we don't have. We're wasting time. Get yourself in the air. I know we don't have the equipment but I'm sending Brains with you to use some ideas from it."
"The mole's too slow Dad." Virgil said in an alarmed voice as he recalled his devastation last time. "Ideas won't help."
" Brains' ideas always help Virgil. Now get going. Alan will give you the position once you are airborne."
"FAB Dad."
Jeff watched the Thunderbird craft leave Tracy island headed for Italy. He was seething inside.
He didn't know how he was going to tell her but he was going to. He needed that design now.
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Tin-Tin awoke and sat up to look at the clock on the sideboard. It was nearly seven thirty. She grimaced as her head told her she should continue to lie down. She rubbed her hand across her forehead. She couldn't lie down. She had to get some work done before Scott flew her to the mainland for her check-up. A few more hours and the design would hopefully be complete.
This headache was really making her miserable and she had now resorted to taking aspirin to relieve it. She had been very careful not to take anything during her pregnancy but the headache had now become unbearable. She reached into the drawer and took the tablets.
"A little aspirin won't hurt" she assured herself. "But I'll mention this headache to the Doctor today."
Tin-Tin had to admit she really didn't feel well. She decided to miss breakfast and go straight to the laboratory.
As she descended in the elevator she noticed Thunderbird One was missing from its hangar. Scott must have been called out overnight. Thunderbird Two was gone too.
"Oh well there goes my appointment." she shrugged. "Alan won't be too happy about that but I guess it can't be helped if there's been a rescue."
She entered the laboratory and began to work. The calculations seemed easier today. The aspirin had definitely helped.
"My hands are still up though." she sighed. "And my feet are huge. I think I'll sit down while I do these so it doesn't get any worse."
The baby started kicking and a ripple of pain ran across the top of her abdomen.
"Don't little one." she thought rubbing her stomach. "I have to get these designs finished for your Grandfather today."
The door to the laboratory opened. It was Alan's father.
"Hello Tin-Tin." Jeff Tracy said as pleasantly as he could given what he had come to say.
"Hello Mr. Tracy." she replied.
"How are you feeling today?" he enquired politely.
"I'm OK Sir." she lied but it was always her standard answer when Jeff Tracy was around. He walked over to look at the design and then at her.
"How are the calculations coming along then? You seem to have made an good start on things today by the look of things."
"Yes I have."
"That's good then." he smiled tightly. " I guess you noticed the Thunderbirds were missing when you came down."
"Yes Sir. Normally I hear them take off but I was really tired last night. I'm always tired at the moment." she replied.
"Yes I recall how tired Alan's mother used to be around this time. Pregnancy certainly takes it out of a woman doesn't it. "
Tin-Tin was becoming nervous. She could see from his face he wasn't happy.
"Mr. Tracy I'm feeling all right. I'll work all day today since I can't make my appointment with the Doctor."
"Honey. International Rescue can't wait any longer. I need you to work until this design is ready. If that's all day and most of the night then that's what I need you to do for me right now."
Her eyes filled with tears. His tone was compassionate but his message wasn't. She knew he was displeased with her.
"Mr. Tracy ..."
"Tin-Tin. Hard as this may sound to you, I employ you to do a job just as I employ Brains and my own sons. The fact that Alan is my son and you are his wife has nothing to do with my request to you to have a quick and accurate design prepared to make this Organisation function at maximum efficiency. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?"
He saw the tears in her eyes.
However he had just heard the tears of his son John as he and Gordon salvaged the bodies of the two drowned children they had failed to reach in time in Italy. Gordon was now conditioned to death. John was not. His sons would soon be on their way back devastated. International Rescue had failed for a fourth time because of the delay.
"Honey." he said carefully. "I understand you are very tired, really I do but I'm afraid I'm now setting you and Brains a deadline. I want that design on my desk from the two of you by ten o'clock tonight. You and I both know it isn't Brains that's holding it up don't we?"
She lowered her head so he did not see her crying.
"Yes Sir. It will be on your desk before then. I'm sorry Sir."
"That's good then honey. You should understand that Brains needed your final calculations last night . Brains went with the boys to see if we could modify the existing equipment and with the right calculations they may have been able to."
Jeff Tracy said nothing for a few moments as he debated whether to continue. The young woman who sat in front of him was his daughter-in-law. He knew that. She was heavily pregnant with his grandchild. He knew that too. But she was also a member of International Rescue and International Rescue had failed again. International Rescue couldn't fail any more. His sons would be told the same on their return.
"Tin-Tin look at me." he said in his powerful voice.
He waited for her to raise her teary eyes to his. She noted his eyes were like hard, cold steel. They were also without sleep. He had been up all night.
"You need to realise that two young boys have now died because he didn't have those calculations. Honey that can't happen again. Understand?"
"I understand Sir." she whispered trying not to cry. "It won't happen again."
"Good then. I'll leave you to it Tin-Tin. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask me for it. Brains will most likely join you after the boys return and I debrief them all."
"Yes Sir."
As he went to leave he turned back to look at her.
"I am speaking to you as a member of International Rescue Tin-Tin. This discussion has been confidential between you and I. Is that clear?"
"Yes Mr. Tracy." she whispered.
She knew what that meant. He had forbidden her to confide in Alan.
Their International Rescue life and their private life were two different things and Jeff Tracy had made that very clear to them both.
She watched him leave feeling totally distressed and as he closed the door she dissolved into a flood of tears.
Her head had really start to hurt again and she still had the unwavering pain in her body. However she felt nothing but the blinding pain in her heart.
It had been her fault the little boys had died. Jeff Tracy hadn't said it to her outright but she knew that was what he had meant.
She had failed to do her job and now she had better get on with it.
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Author's note - Jeff Tracy can seem hard sometimes but please don't blast me yet.
There are many different sides to a story as you'll soon find out!
NEXT CHAPTER
FAMILY COMMITMENT - THE BIRTH OF LUCY TRACY- PART 2 - FEAR
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CHAPTER ELEVEN - FAMILY COMMITMENT
THE BIRTH OF LUCY TRACY - PART ONE- WORRY
Brains looked up from the plans he was studying in great depth as the elevator shaft stopped at the laboratory door, indicating he had company. Jeff Tracy exited the elevator, closely followed by his two eldest sons.
"Good a..afternoon M...Mr Tracy. Scott. V...Virgil." he stammered.
Scott and Virgil both spoke in unison.
"Hey there Brains."
"Hi Brains."
"So Brains…" Jeff asked. "How's it all coming?"
"Err…unfortunately M… M… Mr. Tracy n...not too good I'm afraid." Brains replied.
Jeff walked over to view the plans which were laid out across the table. Scott and Virgil came to stand beside him. All four men scanned the design carefully. After a few minutes Jeff looked over the top of Brains at both of his sons. They silently shook their heads in response to his questioning eyes.
Jeff Tracy frowned. It obviously wasn't what Scott and Virgil wanted either. This was becoming frustrating. They were now up to the fourth set of plans and this new equipment was crucial to avoid a repeat of last month's failure.
Last month had been only the third failure in the history of International Rescue and it had been a major one. Seventeen lives had been lost in that attempted rescue. All four Tracy brothers had been devastated as the mole failed to reach seventeen miners trapped under tonnes of rubble before they died. It had been the first time the mole had ever been too slow but the going had been tough with the limited space at the mouth of the mine. Tougher still was the very limited time they had been given to try to save the men.
Scott had been forced to radio his Father to report that once the mole had broken through, all Gordon and Alan could find in the mine were "deceased persons". Scott almost choked on the words of failure as he uttered them. He didn't fail. International Rescue shouldn't have failed either.
In the debriefing that followed, Jeff Tracy reminded his distraught sons that the mole had still been faster than the conventional equipment tried by the emergency services before calling them in. If they had been called earlier perhaps the Mole would have made it. He said that they had to accept International Rescue had done its best even though it had failed on this occasion. Failures were rare but they happened.
However Scott and Virgil had taken the failure personally. Virgil had been operating the equipment and Scott had been manning mobile control issuing the instructions. The two of them had exchanged sharp words when Scott realised the mole wasn't going to make it in time. He had urged Virgil to move faster. Virgil knew he couldn't. The two brothers now wanted something done about it.
Jeff continued to stress to his sons that the mole was still the fastest drilling equipment in existence. However Scott kept re-iterating to his Father that the mole had simply not been fast enough to reach those people in time. It had been too big and cumbersome to work swiftly in the conditions they had encountered without risking injury to the victims. What they needed was something smaller, faster and highly effective.
Jeff had turned to Brains to design what his sons needed. International Rescue had to have the latest and best equipment and they needed it now. Jeff Tracy was annoyed with himself for failing to foresee the need for this particular machine. Seventeen families had lost loved ones because of it. It couldn't be allowed to happen again and it wouldn't if he had anything to do with it.
Unfortunately Brains and Tin-Tin had been working on the design for over three weeks now and by the look of the latest plans they were no closer to designing what was required.
"No Brains. " Jeff sighed. " That doesn't look like what we're after. Are you sure you're using the right calculations with the design?"
Brains looked nervous. The calculations were Tin-Tin's area of expertise and he had noticed lately that quite a few of them had been very inaccurate. The calculations on this set of plans were imprecise to say the least and he had asked her to look at them again.
Brains knew Tin-Tin was brilliant at mathematical formulas and his designs usually fell into place immediately with her assistance. The two of them were normally a great team but at the moment he knew that she was not coping well carrying her baby. She was also not producing her usual high standard of work and unfortunately it came at a time when International Rescue really needed it.
"Err… Mr.Tracy… I believe Tin-Tin was r..revisiting some of those later on tonight."
Jeff looked irritated. He needed the design completed. It was going to take three months to build once they'd agreed on it. Any further delays were going to cost more lives.
"So where is she now Brains?" he asked trying not to show his annoyance.
"Err… I believe she is sleeping M...Mr Tracy." he replied. "But s..since A...Alan has b...been in Thunderbird Five s..she's been working late into the evening to m…make up for it."
"OK then Brains." Jeff nodded looking less than impressed. "If you think the formula change will alter things I'll wait until she has a look at it tonight and all of us will discuss it in the morning."
Jeff left the laboratory disappointed. He needed that design and Tin-Tin was holding things up.
"I suppose the delay can't be helped," he thought as he ascended in the elevator. "The girl is eight months pregnant." He remembered Lucy had been hopeless in her ninth month. She'd been forgetful and vague sometimes too and all she'd wanted to do was sleep.
As Tin-Tin's father-in-law he understood perfectly how she must be feeling. As the head of International Rescue he needed that design and was annoyed that his Assistant Engineer was letting him down at the moment.
However he knew better than to say anything especially around his Mother. She had been treating Tin-Tin like a crystal vase for the past six months, interfering in everything to do with her pregnancy. She'd also had far too much to say about Tin-Tin's involvement in International Rescue matters which hadn't sat too well with him lately. He had expectations of Tin-Tin just as he had of his sons. He'd bitten his tongue several times at his mother's uninvited interference and he'd be biting it now as he went upstairs. His mother was protective but she was worse when Alan was on rotation.
And Alan was on rotation. His last rotation before the birth. He had two weeks left in Thunderbird Five and then one week at Tracy Enterprises in New York. The baby was due in four weeks.
"I'd better have that design before then." he muttered as he exited the elevator upstairs.
Josie and John Tracy looked up from their chess game as he returned to his desk and sat down with a degree of resignation. John recognised his annoyed look. So did Josie.
"How's the design coming along then Dad?" asked John with interest as he moved his chess piece with a grin. He had her now.
"John it isn't I'm afraid." he said in a disgruntled tone looking at the pile of papers in front of him. "Tin-Tin's looking at it again tonight I understand."
"Jeff she should be resting not working." Josie protested immediately.
"Mother." he snapped without looking up. "She's resting now."
"That poor little child is nearly ready to birth your grandchild and you've still got her chained to that desk working on your designs." she continued. "You might be a workaholic Jeff but she isn't. Check-mate John!"
John looked at her startled. There she was chewing his Father's ear and at the same time she was still able to out-smart him. His Grandmother never ceased to amaze him.
"She's not chained to the desk Mother. You're exaggerating as usual. Brains told me she's been working in the evenings instead of during the day. And during the day she's resting all right?" he said deliberately.
"Mmmm." she frowned disapprovingly turning back to the elder of her two blonde grandsons. She looked at the chess board and then at John.
"I'll play you again sweetie but please make sure you pay attention this time."
Scott and Virgil returned upstairs, deep in discussion. The two of them came to sit in front of their Father. Jeff gave them both a warning glance before they spoke indicating that their Grandmother was nearby. Scott recognised the glance. Virgil didn't.
"Dad. Brains' design is basically good but Tin-Tin's calculations are hopeless at the moment." he exclaimed. "I don't know how she could be that far out."
Jeff grimaced as he saw his mother turn around and glare.
"They're tough calculations Virgil. Brains said she'll fix them tonight." he replied intentionally.
"I hope Tin-Tin understands the urgency of this knowing how we felt pulling all those dead bodies out of that mine." he continued despite the fact that his Father had kicked him twice under the desk to remain silent.
"Young man!"Josie thundered. "If you had a belly full of baby like that little girl you'd want everyone to be understanding of you I'm sure."
Virgil reddened as he turned to her. "Sorry Grandma I didn't mean to sound rude. I'm just anxious that's all. Pulling out those dead men was the worst feeling I've ever had and I don't want it to happen again."
Josie stood up and looked imperiously around the room.
"Now all of you listen here to me! Tin-Tin's feeling the worst she's ever felt too right at the minute. Stop your complaining all of you."
"Mother I am not complaining honestly." Jeff sighed. "I just need that design."
"You'll get your silly design. That little girl has never let you down Jeff Tracy and don't you forget that."
Jeff bit his tongue...again. He only had four more weeks to put up with her interference. After that he knew his mother would be too pre-occupied with fussing over her great grandchild to give him grief like she was at the moment.
"You're right of course mother." he smiled through clenched teeth. "I'm sure she'll have it for me soon."
Tin-Tin Tracy swallowed as she listened to the conversation in the next room. Her mistakes were obviously major and were now impacting on International Rescue. She had better work harder.
But she was tired and hadn't felt well for three days now...
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Another week passed and they were still no closer to agreement on the design for the new equipment. The two of them now discussed plan number seven. It was eight o'clock in the evening and they had been in the laboratory all day. Tin-Tin felt exhausted. Her back hurt, her feet and hands were swollen and now the baby had started kicking too.
Tin-Tin placed one hand in the small of her back and the other on her hugely distended stomach and grimaced.
"A...Are you a...all right Tin-Tin?" Brains asked looking worried.
Her hand moved to her temple as he spoke. Her head hurt like crazy too.
She flashed him a tired smile.
"Yes of course I am but I really think I need to sit down for a bit Brains. I've been on my feet down here for days and the weight of this baby isn't helping things."
Brains looked at how large her stomach was. Being the genius he was he marvelled at the extent that Tin-Tin's body had expanded to accommodate Alan's child over the past six months. If only they could emulate that capacity in the engineering world he thought to himself.
"You c...certainly have gr...grown Tin-Tin."
She looked down at herself and sighed.
"Imagine how big I'll be in another three weeks. I've doubled in size these past two weeks. I don't know what Alan's going to say when he sees me."
"Uhhh probably the same as me I think."
"Yes well I'm hardly attractive to anyone looking like this." she grumbled as she sat down and began the calculations. "Especially to Alan."
As she worked her pencil slipped from her swollen fingers and onto the floor.
"Damn it!" she snapped. " I can't even hold onto a stupid pencil let alone get this right."
Brains stepped forward to pick up the pencil as he anxiously peered at the formula.
"N...No Tin-Tin." he said pointing at the error. "T..That should be squared not m...multiplied."
She looked at the calculation. He was right. She'd been thinking about how bad her head was hurting and not concentrating again. Tears formed in her eyes as she threw the pencil across the room in frustration.
"M..Maybe we should call it a d...day Tin-Tin." said Brains carefully picking up the pencil again.
"I know Mr. Tracy needs this Brains." she said apologetically . "And I'm sorry it's taking me so long. I'll take a break for dinner and then I'll come back and work on it a bit longer."
"P..Perhaps it would be best if you r...rested Tin-Tin. Y...You look t..terrible."
"Thanks Brains." she said flatly. " I really needed you to say that to me the way I feel at the moment."
Brains decided by her tone that he'd said enough for one day if he wanted to stay out of trouble. But he was a little worried and wondered if he should speak to Josie Tracy about it. Tin-Tin really didn't look very well and hadn't looked well all day. She hadn't looked well for several days now. No he guessed he'd better not tell Josie. The designs would never be finished.
"There you are!" exclaimed Josie Tracy as the two of them entered the dining room. "I was starting to think you weren't going to join us."
She looked at Tin-Tin.
"How are you dear?"
"I'm a little tired Mrs Tracy."
"It's Grandma." she pointed out.
Jeff Tracy looked at Brains expectantly. Brains shook his head indicating the design still wasn't ready. Jeff said nothing. He didn't need to. His disapproval was apparent on his face.
Tin-Tin saw their silent exchange.
"Mr. Tracy I'm working on it tonight." she said anxiously. "I'll finish it for you as soon as I can I promise. The calculations are difficult Sir."
Josie passed her the vegetables.
"You just forget about work young lady." she directed. " You concentrate on nourishing my great grandchild."
Tin-Tin almost dropped the plate as she tried to hold it.
"I'm sorry Grandma." she apologised. "I'm a bit clumsy at the moment with my hands all swollen up. Would you mind doing this for me?"
Josie looked at the young girl's fingers as she took the plate from her. She began to worry at the extent of the swelling in them.
"You've been on your feet for far too long today sweetie. I've no doubt your ankles are swollen too. You need to have a good lie down after this. There'll be no more work for you tonight."
"But Mrs Tracy I have to..."
"It's Grandma. And don't argue dear. I know what's best for you and that baby of yours. Now eat your dinner and get ready for bed. I'll be seeing to you myself."
Jeff Tracy bit his tongue again. His mother was still interfering in International Rescue business and he still didn't have that design.
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Alan Tracy paced the floor of Thunderbird Five like a caged lion. This had been the longest rotation of his life and he still had a week of it to go.
God he hated it up here and if that wasn't bad enough he then had to endure another week away from home with Hank Davies ordering him around in New York.
The week in New York working for his Father immediately after the four week stint in Thunderbird Five had really knocked him around these past six months and he was getting tired. Tired in body and tired in spirit.
He just wanted to go home.
He had asked his Father if he could give New York a miss this one time after the rotation. He wanted to be with Tin-Tin for her last two weeks. He felt she needed to have him nearby even if he couldn't do anything.
Jeff Tracy had refused pointing out to Alan that he still owed him a good deal of money and that there was ample time for him to fulfil his commitments in New York before the baby would come.
"First babies are usually late." he said. "And you know you have a job to do son."
"If he would have let me race in the Sans I'd have paid him back by now." Alan complained loudly in a disgruntled voice with no-one up in the satellite to hear him. "...and I could have been with Tin-Tin next week. I hardly see her anymore between this damned place and New York."
He started to think about Tin-Tin and wondered how she was coping without him.
Surprisingly for a young woman who was capable of doing anything on her own, Tin-Tin had not coped well with the pregnancy changes at all . He had certainly found that out the hard way. Everything his Father had said would happen had happened. She had been irritable and unhappy as her shape changed. She had cried about how fat she was getting and how unattractive she thought she was to him. He had taken her in his arms and tried to tell her it didn't make any difference to him but it didn't seem to make her feel any better. He had been forced to recall his Father's words over and over.
"Love her no matter what you get back in return. Remember you did this to her in the first place."
Well he was trying to love her and he was trying to remember that it was him that did it to her but boy it was tough sometimes.
However despite it all, both he and Tin-Tin were looking forward to the birth of their baby now and they had every reason to be excited about it. It would be the most happy and special day the Tracy family had experienced in a long very time. Only the two of them knew why.
Four weeks ago he had sat by Tin-Tin's by side holding her hand as she underwent her final scan of their baby in San Diego. The Doctor had asked if the two of them wanted to know the sex of the baby and after some hesitation on their part they had agreed they wanted to know.
The Doctor told them that their baby was a little girl. Alan's hand had squeezed hers with elation as her eyes had filled with happy tears. Once outside the Doctor's Office he had gathered her up in his arms and kissed her over and over again and he hadn't cared who saw him or what anyone said. A girl! A baby girl!
After seeing that photo of Tin-Tin as a beautiful three year old child in Kyrano's private rooms, Alan Tracy had secretly wanted this baby to be a little girl.
Now his dream had come true and he was delighted.
He had stood kissing her in the same foyer where he had stood six months ago as an arrogant brat. A spoilt rich man's brat who had brought his lover to have the product of his lust aborted. Now he stood kissing the same woman with absolute joy because she would give birth to that precious little girl. Tin-Tin was still his lover but she had now become much more than that and would always be much more than that. She was now his wife.
How could he have ever thought about aborting their baby? Life had certainly turned around for him for the better since the day that voice had made him have a good look at himself.
His father did not think he was capable of fathering a daughter. He kept asking him what he would be naming his son. Alan kept saying he and Tin-Tin had not decided. No-one had asked about naming a daughter.
Alan knew his Father would be delighted to have a grand-daughter and his Grandmother would be overjoyed. It would thrill them both more when he told them she would be christened after the two women who were instrumental in the Tracy family; "Lucy Josephine."
Lucy Josephine Tracy; the first little girl to be born to the Tracy family in six generations and the Tracy son who had fathered her hadn't wanted to be a Father at all.
He was now the Tracy son who looked forward to the birth more than anyone.
Only the two of them knew about Lucy Josephine at the moment and it was news that they were not prepared to share with anyone.
They had shopped for baby's clothing that day and wanting to hug the secret to themselves like two naughty schoolchildren, they had purchased everything they were taking with them in blue. That would keep everyone guessing. The mountain of other things they had purchased to be held at the store for collection in December were delicate feminine colours that reflected Tin-Tin's eloquent taste.
One purchase however had been special and only Alan Shepherd Tracy knew about it.
As Tin-Tin rested in the hotel before their flight home, Alan had returned to the store alone. He had seen a bracelet earlier. He had looked at it while Tin-Tin was deciding what outfit she would bring the newest member of International Rescue home in. The tiny gold bracelet had two small pink ivory hearts resting daintily on either side of its name plate. Tin-Tin had called him away and asked him to purchase the outfit for the baby. He had smiled at her and forgotten all about the bracelet.
Later that day he had held the bracelet in the palm of his hand marvelling at how small and delicate it was. He knew his little Lucy Josephine would be small and delicate like Tin-Tin and he wanted the first gift she received in her life to be from her Daddy.
Her very young, very frightened and very inexperienced Daddy.
The Daddy who remembered what he had nearly done to her and wanted show how sorry he felt. This was the only way he knew how.
Alan had purchased the tiny gift for his baby daughter that afternoon and arranged for it to be engraved with the two names that meant so much to the Tracy family. He had carried it with him ever since and often looked at it when he missed Tin-Tin up here in Thunderbird Five. He also carried with him something else he had purchased that afternoon. Something he knew Tin-Tin had wanted from him for a long time and something he would finally give her without reservation when she gave birth to his daughter.
Alan yawned as he paced. He never slept well up here. He always lay half awake listening for a rescue call. It had been worse since the failure in the mine. Time was critical. They had found that out the hard way! They had to act immediately and whoever was in the satellite was responsible for acting.
He wondered if Brains and Tin-Tin had had any success with the design of the new equipment they needed to avoid a recurrence of that disaster. He'd hated the feeling of failure as they pulled those bodies from the mine. Someone's Father. Someone's son. Someone's husband.He had felt useless. More useless than he felt sitting up here hour after hour, day after day.
He looked at the clock which showed Tracy Island time.
Ten o'clock in the evening.
He'd call and see how the design was coming on...and ask after Tin-Tin.
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"This is Jeff Tracy. Go ahead Alan."
Jeff Tracy looked at his youngest son on the monitor. The boy looked tired. Both he and John always started to look that way in the last week before rotation. Those long, lonely, incessant hours in space were tough and took their toll on his sons.
"Hi Dad. I was just calling to check on Tin-Tin."
"Tin-Tin's fine." Jeff said. "A bit tired but all right. She's lying down at present."
"My Grandma again?"
"Yes Alan. Your Grandmother again!"
"I guess I won't ask to speak with her then. By the way Dad, how's the design coming?"
"Slowly." Jeff replied carefully knowing that Alan would pick up on any negativity. "Tin-Tin was going to finish it off tonight but..."
"Grandma again?"
"Yes Grandma again!"
There was an uncomfortable silence. Jeff Tracy look inquisitively at his son.
"Any action to report Alan?"
"No Dad but I've been keeping an eye on a situation over in the north of Italy. There is some bad flooding going on but things seem to be under control."
"Well continue on with that but if we're needed Alan let me know quickly. We don't want a repeat of that mine."
"No Sir we don't."
Alan looked at his Father who expected him to end the call. He had really only called base to talk to her.
"Dad I know you don't like me jamming up the frequency but could I talk to Tin-Tin please Sir? I haven't seen her for over three weeks now and I just want to see for myself that she's all right."
Jeff Tracy looked at his son's worried expression. He remembered how much he'd worried about Lucy too when she was due to give birth to Scott and he was in mandatory live-in training. He had stolen out of the training camp in the middle of the night to see her and hear her say she and the baby were all right. He knew how Alan felt but he couldn't afford the frequency to be tied up for too long.
"All right son. I'll put you through to your apartments but keep it brief all right?"
"Yes Sir. I'll only be a few minutes."
Tin-Tin lay fast asleep on the king size bed in the new four room apartment Jeff Tracy had constructed in the villa for the two of them after their wedding. It had been tastefully fitted with a bedroom, a nursery, a bathroom, and a small living area.
Josie stood beside the bed worrying about the size of Tin-Tin ankles when she saw her wrist communicator flashing. She frowned in disapproval. It was probably Jeff again wanting her to work on that stupid design of his. Poor little girl, she thought.
Tin-Tin woke up with a start and answered the communicator. Her face lit up into an instant smile. Josie knew only one person who could make Tin-Tin's features light up like that.
Her youngest Grandson.
She was surprised Jeff had allowed Alan to talk to her. He hated the frequencies in Thunderbird Five being tied up for personal calls.
She stood up and left the room knowing they would want to talk privately.
"You stay on that bed now young lady!" she warned as she left the room. "That swelling has to go down before I'll be letting you up again."
Tin-Tin rolled her eyes as she looked at Alan.
"Let me guess? Grandma?" he laughed.
"Yes Alan your Grandma! She's driving me crazy. She'd have me trying to work flat on my back if she could."
"Dad said you were going to work tonight." he frowned. "And like my Grandma, I don't know if I approve of that."
"Alan you know I have to get this design finished and I'm hardly very quick with the formulas at the moment. I have to work."
"Yeah well you slow down young lady or you'll be dealing with me!" he laughed doing a dreadful impersonation of his Grandmother.
"Alan. Stop it! I know she means well."
"Yeah that's why she's driving you crazy right? Wait until she's got our little girl to love. She'll drive me crazy then on how to raise her."
"Shh...that's our secret. Someone might overhear you."
"Why who else is there?" he asked.
"Well...no-one."
"Well then I can say what I like to you then can't I?"
"I guess."
"I could say lots of personal and very intimate things baby."
"I wish you would."
"What sorts of personal things would you like to hear? That I love you?"
"Yes."
"And I miss you."
"Yes."
"And I want you."
Her face fell.
"No you wouldn't want me like this. You should see me at the moment. I'm huge."
"I can see you and I'm not complaining." he said ignoring the fact that he had never seen her face so swollen. He smiled mischievously. "And I do want you Tin-Tin. Boy do I ever want you."
"I want you too Alan."
"Not as much as I want you."
"Maybe..."
"There are no maybe's where you are concerned baby."
They were silent as they looked at each other lovingly.
"And how is my little girl?"
"She's fine. I'm going for my check-up tomorrow with Grandma but I'm sure everything's OK with her."
"And what about her mommy? Is she OK?"
"I'm fine too. Although..."
She saw his face instantly cloud with worry.
"What?"
"No. It's nothing. I've had a lot of swelling in my hands and feet Alan and a bit of a headache these past few days."
"It's all those hours you're working baby."
"We've already discussed that. It's my job Alan."
"Yeah well you'd be on maternity leave in any other job. Now you take it easy Tin-Tin or I'll talk to Grandma about you myself. You really will have something to complain about then.
They both laughed and as they looked at each other their faces fell as they realised the call had to come to an end.
"Baby. I love you." he whispered.
"I love you too Alan."
"I miss you so much."
"I miss you too."
"I wish I was there with you."
She looked longingly at his tired, handsome face. She wanted to feel his arms around her but International Rescue dictated that those arms stayed out there empty in the lonliness of space.
"You look so tired Alan. Don't worry you'll be home soon."
"No I still have to go to New York after rotation."
"I wish your Father would change his mind about that Alan."
"Honey Dad's flashing me to leave the frequency. I've got to go now..."
"No Alan please don't go. .." she began begging him to talk just a little longer.
"This is Thunderbird Five. Alan Tracy out."
Tears welled in Tin-Tin's eyes. She really missed Alan and wanted him to come home.
She ran her hands over her bump and felt the kicking of their baby.
"Lucy you're going to miss your Daddy when he goes away just as much as I do. Your Grandfather sends him away for International Rescue far too much." she whispered. "It's not fair to either of us anymore."
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Josie Tracy looked around the kitchen with great authority as she waited anxiously for Kyrano to brew some fresh coffee for her son.
"Kyrano you're going to have to watch that little girl of yours you know." she commented sharply looking at him and speaking with her usual directness.
Jeff had decided to wait up while Alan monitored the situation in Italy and it looked like being a long night with quite a few cups of coffee ahead.
"How so Mrs Tracy?" asked Kyrano turning to look at her.
"She's working far too hard and running herself into the ground for International Rescue at the moment. And to be quite frank with you Kyrano I'm worried about her."
Kyrano nodded. He was worried too. He had noticed Tin-Tin's tired and swollen appearance these last few days and had intended to speak with her reminding her of the need to rest. His daughter was only a slight young girl and it was obvious to Kyrano that she was really struggling to carry her child now. It concerned him she still had three weeks to go.
"She wouldn't be working like that if my Grandson was here." Josie remarked. "Alan would soon set his Father straight."
"Yes young Mr. Alan certainly speaks his mind these days." Kyrano agreed.
Kyrano now unequivocally approved of his daughter's marriage to Alan Tracy. Jeff Tracy's youngest son had grown up quickly since marrying Tin-Tin and it was clear that he obviously loved her and was making a big effort to make her happy.
He had also become very forthright in his opinions, particularly where Tin-Tin's health or well-being was concerned. If Alan were here now Kyrano knew Tin-Tin would be nowhere near that laboratory. But he wasn't here and he took Josie's point about how hard she was working at the moment.
"The child is very large too Mrs. Tracy do you not think?" Kyrano asked her.
Josie nodded. She had been observing that. She had made a mental note for herself to speak with Tin-Tin's doctor about it.
"Yes I've a feeling that she is going to need a caesarian delivery if that baby gets much bigger."
"I'm not in favour of that at all." a voice behind her said bluntly.
It was Jeff who had come to find out why his coffee was taking so long.
"Now Jeff don't you start your worrying again. I know you're not in favour of it for obvious reasons but the baby is big and you're not going to be the one doing all the laboring."
Jeff frowned. Scott had been a big baby and Lucy had delivered him naturally. Admittedly she'd had a hard time of it but she had managed it all the same. Lucy hadn't been any bigger than Tin-Tin so a caesarian birth shouldn't be necessary. Especially after what had happened to Lucy with Alan.
"I'm just covering the bases Jeff. We don't want any mistakes this time do we?" she asked deliberately hoping he would take the point and keep out of things.
"I'm still not keen on the idea." he replied in a disgruntled tone. "It's too dangerous."
"Oh Jeff don't be silly. It's not dangerous. When they're well planned there's nothing to worry about." Josie snapped. He was making her nervous.
"The Doctor will give my daughter good advice Mr. Tracy." Kyrano assured him seeing the tension building between Jeff Tracy and his mother. "Please do not worry."
"Yeah well a certain Doctor didn't give my wife good advice twenty-one years ago "Jeff Tracy said directly.
He turned to leave the kitchen with his coffee in hand as he looked straight into Kyrano's eyes. "And you know I lost Lucy as a result of it Kyrano."
Josie watched him go. Despite all of his carrying on about the importance of designs and the tough exterior he put on, she knew deep down that Jeff Tracy was a true family man. That family man was obviously very worried about this birth. She could see it written all over his face. For him to mention Lucy's death when he never talked about it to anyone made it clear to Josie that he was becoming more than just a little anxious for Tin-Tin.
And his son.
Josie had to admit she was feeling anxious too. She had never lost that uneasy feeling she had felt in Tin-Tin's room nearly six months ago as she watched her sleep.
Her intuition was pretty good too.
No.
Jeff was just starting to unnerve her with all his worrying.
It had to be bad memories that hopefully would heal in this family soon.
It wouldn't happen again.
Could it?
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Alan Tracy gripped the console of Thunderbird Five in fear listening to the frequency. The situation in Italy was critical. Now the floodwaters had collapsed a section of an old disused mine shaft near San Marino. Two young boys reported missing earlier had been detected in an air pocket in the shaft. The water was rising slowly in the shaft. They had radioed for International Rescue.
"Oh God." he swallowed. "Dad's going to flip.We haven't got the new equipment."
He answered the call as his stomach turned. These were not grown men in danger. These were children.
"This is International Rescue. I'm reading you. Stand by to give me your position."
He immediately contacted his Father.
"Thunderbird Five to base."
Jeff Tracy immediately appeared on the screen.
"Go ahead Alan."
"Dad... we've received a distress call from that Italian situation I was monitoring. There are two kids trapped in an air pocket in an old disused mine. The floodwaters I told you about before have collapsed the mine. The water is rising Sir. I'm getting further details now. "
Jeff's face reddened as he looked at his son with real panic.
"Damn it Alan."
"I know Sir. We don't have the new equipment yet." he said reading his Father's mind.
"Get all of the details Alan. We'll just have to do the best we can again."
Jeff moved to summon his four sons and Brains to the lounge.
Scott, Virgil and Gordon paled as they were briefed on the mission. John stood quietly. He hadn't been on the last rescue but had heard the whole thing from Thunderbird Five.
"We won't fail again right?" he asked his Father. John wasn't too keen on pulling out dead children.
Scott slammed his fist angrily into the desk when he realised they were going to need the very equipment they didn't have again.
" Damn Dad. You can't assure me it's not going to happen again. These are kids. I told you we needed that equipment quickly."
"Son it's pointless worrying about what we don't have. We're wasting time. Get yourself in the air. I know we don't have the equipment but I'm sending Brains with you to use some ideas from it."
"The mole's too slow Dad." Virgil said in an alarmed voice as he recalled his devastation last time. "Ideas won't help."
" Brains' ideas always help Virgil. Now get going. Alan will give you the position once you are airborne."
"FAB Dad."
Jeff watched the Thunderbird craft leave Tracy island headed for Italy. He was seething inside.
He didn't know how he was going to tell her but he was going to. He needed that design now.
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Tin-Tin awoke and sat up to look at the clock on the sideboard. It was nearly seven thirty. She grimaced as her head told her she should continue to lie down. She rubbed her hand across her forehead. She couldn't lie down. She had to get some work done before Scott flew her to the mainland for her check-up. A few more hours and the design would hopefully be complete.
This headache was really making her miserable and she had now resorted to taking aspirin to relieve it. She had been very careful not to take anything during her pregnancy but the headache had now become unbearable. She reached into the drawer and took the tablets.
"A little aspirin won't hurt" she assured herself. "But I'll mention this headache to the Doctor today."
Tin-Tin had to admit she really didn't feel well. She decided to miss breakfast and go straight to the laboratory.
As she descended in the elevator she noticed Thunderbird One was missing from its hangar. Scott must have been called out overnight. Thunderbird Two was gone too.
"Oh well there goes my appointment." she shrugged. "Alan won't be too happy about that but I guess it can't be helped if there's been a rescue."
She entered the laboratory and began to work. The calculations seemed easier today. The aspirin had definitely helped.
"My hands are still up though." she sighed. "And my feet are huge. I think I'll sit down while I do these so it doesn't get any worse."
The baby started kicking and a ripple of pain ran across the top of her abdomen.
"Don't little one." she thought rubbing her stomach. "I have to get these designs finished for your Grandfather today."
The door to the laboratory opened. It was Alan's father.
"Hello Tin-Tin." Jeff Tracy said as pleasantly as he could given what he had come to say.
"Hello Mr. Tracy." she replied.
"How are you feeling today?" he enquired politely.
"I'm OK Sir." she lied but it was always her standard answer when Jeff Tracy was around. He walked over to look at the design and then at her.
"How are the calculations coming along then? You seem to have made an good start on things today by the look of things."
"Yes I have."
"That's good then." he smiled tightly. " I guess you noticed the Thunderbirds were missing when you came down."
"Yes Sir. Normally I hear them take off but I was really tired last night. I'm always tired at the moment." she replied.
"Yes I recall how tired Alan's mother used to be around this time. Pregnancy certainly takes it out of a woman doesn't it. "
Tin-Tin was becoming nervous. She could see from his face he wasn't happy.
"Mr. Tracy I'm feeling all right. I'll work all day today since I can't make my appointment with the Doctor."
"Honey. International Rescue can't wait any longer. I need you to work until this design is ready. If that's all day and most of the night then that's what I need you to do for me right now."
Her eyes filled with tears. His tone was compassionate but his message wasn't. She knew he was displeased with her.
"Mr. Tracy ..."
"Tin-Tin. Hard as this may sound to you, I employ you to do a job just as I employ Brains and my own sons. The fact that Alan is my son and you are his wife has nothing to do with my request to you to have a quick and accurate design prepared to make this Organisation function at maximum efficiency. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?"
He saw the tears in her eyes.
However he had just heard the tears of his son John as he and Gordon salvaged the bodies of the two drowned children they had failed to reach in time in Italy. Gordon was now conditioned to death. John was not. His sons would soon be on their way back devastated. International Rescue had failed for a fourth time because of the delay.
"Honey." he said carefully. "I understand you are very tired, really I do but I'm afraid I'm now setting you and Brains a deadline. I want that design on my desk from the two of you by ten o'clock tonight. You and I both know it isn't Brains that's holding it up don't we?"
She lowered her head so he did not see her crying.
"Yes Sir. It will be on your desk before then. I'm sorry Sir."
"That's good then honey. You should understand that Brains needed your final calculations last night . Brains went with the boys to see if we could modify the existing equipment and with the right calculations they may have been able to."
Jeff Tracy said nothing for a few moments as he debated whether to continue. The young woman who sat in front of him was his daughter-in-law. He knew that. She was heavily pregnant with his grandchild. He knew that too. But she was also a member of International Rescue and International Rescue had failed again. International Rescue couldn't fail any more. His sons would be told the same on their return.
"Tin-Tin look at me." he said in his powerful voice.
He waited for her to raise her teary eyes to his. She noted his eyes were like hard, cold steel. They were also without sleep. He had been up all night.
"You need to realise that two young boys have now died because he didn't have those calculations. Honey that can't happen again. Understand?"
"I understand Sir." she whispered trying not to cry. "It won't happen again."
"Good then. I'll leave you to it Tin-Tin. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask me for it. Brains will most likely join you after the boys return and I debrief them all."
"Yes Sir."
As he went to leave he turned back to look at her.
"I am speaking to you as a member of International Rescue Tin-Tin. This discussion has been confidential between you and I. Is that clear?"
"Yes Mr. Tracy." she whispered.
She knew what that meant. He had forbidden her to confide in Alan.
Their International Rescue life and their private life were two different things and Jeff Tracy had made that very clear to them both.
She watched him leave feeling totally distressed and as he closed the door she dissolved into a flood of tears.
Her head had really start to hurt again and she still had the unwavering pain in her body. However she felt nothing but the blinding pain in her heart.
It had been her fault the little boys had died. Jeff Tracy hadn't said it to her outright but she knew that was what he had meant.
She had failed to do her job and now she had better get on with it.
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Author's note - Jeff Tracy can seem hard sometimes but please don't blast me yet.
There are many different sides to a story as you'll soon find out!
NEXT CHAPTER
FAMILY COMMITMENT - THE BIRTH OF LUCY TRACY- PART 2 - FEAR
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