Hi guys. I got 5 reviews for the last chapter! And I'm very happy with this so here are my messages to reviewers-
:)- Here's the more you wanted.
Petite-elfe- Glad you love it. It means a lot to me when people say that.
Mcj- She certainly does have a lot to say she takes matters into her own hands.
Amanduriel- I'm sure they have a lot to say about it as well. My punctuation is the worst bit about my stories I'm not too great at it though I'm trying.
Dragoneyes-Here's more of it.
This is set at Christmas just so everyone knows and the chapter is dedicated to all my reviewers.
Jeff Tracy looked round at the chaos his house had descended into. He smiled and finished off his coffee and set the mug on the table. It was Christmas day and all the Tracy family, save Alan, had gathered at his house for the traditional Christmas celebrations.
He laughed as Scott once again had to grab Melody to stop her going too near the Christmas tree seeing as her and Danny had already tried to knock it down unsuccessfully twice since their arrival yesterday. The look on Melody's face was the exact same look Scott used to have one his face when he was being told off and Jeff knew she would make another bid to reach the tree soon.
Danny was sitting nearby in the middle of the chaos playing with some racing cars either Virgil or John possibly both had bought him laughter erupted from him every now and then and Jeff marvelled at how young children could be so easily amused.
He laughed as he watch Melody make another bid for the tree unknown to her father who was now talking to John. He shook his head and swiftly walked over and picked up his eldest granddaughter before she could touch the tree.
Melody looked disappointed until she saw who had picked her up, "Grandpa," She cried and flung her arms around his neck.
Jeff laughed and hugged her to his chest, "having fun?" He asked as he sat her down on the sofa next to Virgil.
Melody nodded her head enthusiastically, "Yep," She said excitably.
Virgil smiled at her, "You going to stop trying to knock over the tree?" He asked looking her his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"I'm not trying to knock it over," she said stubbornly crossing her arms over her chest with a scowl on her face.
Virgil laughed so did Jeff, "Well that's what it looked like to me," Said Virgil looking at his young niece with a smile.
"I was just trying to touch it," She said with a completely innocent look on her face.
Virgil laughed, "Whatever you say Mel," He said using his nickname for her.
Melody screwed up her face, "Don't call me that,"
"Why not?" Asked Virgil as his father walked off to talk to John leaving the two off them alone on the sofa.
"I don't like it," She said screwing up her face even more.
Virgil laughed, "Then I'll just have to make you like it," He said reaching over and tickling her gently.
Melody squealed with laughter, which caught Scott's attention, "Stop," She screamed in between laughter.
"Say you like the name," He demanded still tickling her, knowing she would give in soon.
Melody curled up into a small ball trying to block the tickles, "I like, I like it," She screamed.
Scott came over and hit his brother's arm forcing him to stop tickling Melody, "What are you doing to my daughter?" He asked with a mock look of anger on his face.
"We're just playing aren't we Melody?" He asked looking at her.
Melody nodded, "We were just playing Daddy, I swear," She said smiling at him before jumping off the sofa now that Virgil had stopped tickling her and ran over to Danny to play with the cars.
Scott shook his head and sat down on the now vacant spot on the sofa next to his younger brother, "It's not quite the same is it?" Asked Virgil.
"What isn't?" Asked Scott working out in his head what his brother was talking about.
"Christmas, it isn't the same without Alan it's been 6 years today since we last saw him," He said in a low voice so their dad wouldn't hear. Jeff Tracy didn't like talk about his youngest son in the house though all the brothers were sure he would be delighted if Alan was here.
Scott nodded sadly, "Wonder what he's doing,"
"Probably with his fiancés family," Said Virgil, "What's her name again?"
"Tin Tin something or other," Said Scott he couldn't quite remember her second name.
Virgil nodded, "I saw them on TV, they looked good together,"
"Yeah they make a good couple I just hope Alan has enough sense not to ruin it all over something stupid," Said Scott thinking of his brothers habit of speaking before thinking.
"Anyway hope he's having fun," Said Virgil in a cheery mood trying to lighten things.
"Yeah, Me too," Said Scott smiling as he thought of what Alan might be doing.
"Scott," Said Jeff pointing to Melody who was quickly making her way to the Christmas tree while she thought no one was looking.
Scott jumped up and dashed across to his daughter before she got to the tree. He picked her up, "I told you to stay away from the tree," He scolded.
"Sorry daddy," She said smiling sweetly up at him.
"How about we go see Grandma, huh?" He asked knowing she loved to watch his mum cook.
Melody's eyes lit up, "Yes!" She said excitably.
Scott laughed at how pleased she was about something as simple as watching his mum cooking, "Come on then," He said walking towards the kitchen.
When he entered the kitchen he found his mum putting something in the oven wearing a very old apron that she had had for as long as Scott could remember, "Hey mum," He said which made her jump and turn round quickly in surprise her hand over her heart.
"Scott you scared the life out of me don't do that!" She said in an exasperated voice.
"Sorry mum," He said a little sheepishly, "Melody wanted to watch you cook, is that ok?" He asked her knowing the answer his mum doted upon each of her grand children.
"Of course she can," She said smiling at Melody.
Melody smiled back at her as Scott sat her on one of the stools. Melody placed her face in her hands and leaned on the kitchen table watching her grandmother cook completely fascinated Scott smiled at her before walking out back into the living room.
Gordon and Virgil were sitting on the floor playing with Danny and the racing cars Scott could have sworn they looked more interested in them than Danny who seemed to have taken a sudden interest in the tree.
John was holding Tori who was giggling like crazy at the faces he was pulling.
Jeff was watching Danny cautiously as he tried to get near the tree unknown to his father and uncle who were now having a race against each other with the cars.
Scott laughed as Gordon deliberately made his car crash into the sofa and turned round expecting o see his son's face laughing at him. A confused look came over his face as he noticed his son was missing from the spot he had last saw him. Gordon's eyes scanned the room until they came to rest on the small boy standing just feet away from the Christmas tree, "Danny," He yelled in a dangerous voice, "Get back here this second."
Danny turned round and gave his father a look of complete innocence, "I wasn't doing anything wrong," He said carefully moving closer to the tree.
Scott briefly wondered what the fascination with the tree was he was sure neither he nor his brothers had been so interested in their tree when they were little.
Gordon narrowed his eyes at his son noticing his movement closer to the tree and not further away as he would have liked, "Daniel Tracy get over here this second," He said in a threatening voice.
Danny knowing he was in trouble if his father had used his full name gave the tree a wistful look before heading towards his father who was crouching on the floor still holding the small racing car, "Sorry daddy," He said when he reached him giving him a look that got him anything he wanted when it came to his father.
Gordon's eyes instantly softened and he reached a hand up to ruffle his son's hair, "It's ok," He said smiling playfully, "I just don't want Grandma to get angry,"
Danny's eyes widened he knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of his Grandma's anger and it wasn't fun. Although she would never hit any of her children or grandchildren when she raised her voice you sometimes felt worse than you would after haven gotten a smack.
Jeff came over, "Gordon don't frighten him," He turned to his grandson, "your grandma won't be angry. With you as long as you stay away from the tree," He said in a stern voice but kind voice.
Danny lowered his head, "Yes Grandpa," He said in a quiet voice.
Gordon cocked his head to the side looking at his son, "Hey, it's ok. We're not angry with you," He said kindly.
Danny raised his blue eyes to meet his fathers blue eyes, "Really?" He asked in a frightened voice.
Gordon wondered slightly if he had been as scared of his mum's temper at that age, "Positive," He said, "Just stay away from the tree,"
Danny nodded, "I will," He said running off.
Gordon ran a hand through his auburn hair and looked at his dad, "Dad I really don't know how you and mum coped with the 5 of us. Danny's bad enough I dread to think what Tori will be like when she's older," He said looking worried.
"You'll cope," Said Jeff putting a hand on his second youngest son's shoulder and smiling at him encouragingly.
Gordon smiled back, "I hope so, but I also hope Tori is nothing like Danny when it comes to mischief." He said wondering what it would be like if he had two troublemakers in the house both under the age of ten he was sure his house would quickly erupt into chaos.
"Well it's best that Alan isn't around to influence them then, isn't it?" Jeff asked trying to sound humorous.
Gordon stared at his father in amazement that was the first time he had ever heard him talk about Alan since the fight normally all the brothers avoided talking about their youngest brother whilst in their fathers company knowing that it was a sore spot for him and now Gordon was well and truly amazed he was the one doing the talking!
"Yeah Alan would be a bad influence," Said Gordon smiling as an image of Alan helping Danny and Melody get up to mischief came to mind, "But Danny and Melody would love him to bits,"
Jeff smiled, as a similar image to the one Gordon was imaging came to mind, "He would be the favourite uncle who always buys them presents and always plays with them,"
Gordon nodded and Jeff suddenly seemed to realise he had been talking about Alan, "Anyway Merry Christmas son," He said walking off in the general direction of the kitchen.
Gordon frowned he wished his father would talk about Alan but of course his father being a military man he never talked about his emotions and kept them bottled up.
His eyes scanned the living room looking for his son he smiled as he noticed him sitting on the sofa giving Tori her bottle being aided by his mother. Danny absolutely adored Tori and Gordon pitied any future boyfriends of her.
Kate looked up at him and smiled which he returned before she went back to helping Danny.
He frowned as he noticed Scott and John conversing in low voices in the corner of the room. He walked over, "What are you guys talking about?" He asked surprising them both.
"Gordon we didn't hear you come over," Said John.
"Obviously," He said folding his arms over his chest, "So what were you talking about?"
Scott looked round nervously his eyes searching the room for his father he relaxed when he didn't see him and answered in a low voice, "We were thinking of trying to contact Alan," Said Scott.
Gordon looked at him in surprise though he would love to speak to his brother he never actually considered contacting him, "When?" He asked.
"As soon as we can get any contact details for him," John answered.
"And how are you planning on doing that?" Asked Gordon curiously.
"I have a friend who's working on it," Said Scott, "I was hoping she would be able to get it for today cause it's Christmas and everything but I haven't heard anything from her."
"You have a friend who can get contact details for famous grand prix racers?" He asked raising an eyebrow at him.
"No, but she can track people down easily," He said pulling out his cell phone and examining it.
"Well if you want it so badly why don't you phone her?" Asked John.
Scott shook his head, "No she said she would phone me as soon as she got anything." He answered.
"Right," Said Gordon not wanting to get his hopes up he didn't know how reliable this 'friend' off Scott's was.
Scott noticed the look on his face, "She's reliable. If anyone can get us information it will be her."
"Ok." Said Gordon still a little unsure.
"Dinners ready!" yelled a voice from the kitchen that Gordon recognised as his 3 year old niece.
Scott sighed, "I hope she didn't put mum off her cooking too much," He said.
"Me too I'm starving," Said John as his stomach grumbled proving his point, "And I haven't had cooking as good as mums in God knows how long,"
"Get yourself a girl who can cook," Gordon suggested knowing that his brother couldn't cook.
John turned bright red and mumbled something, which made Scott and Gordon suspicious, "Or maybe you have a girl," Scott suggested which a mischievous twinkle in his eye that Gordon rarely saw nowadays.
John turned, if possible, a brighter shade of red and they were about to ask him about her before their mum stuck her head out of the kitchen, "Didn't you three hear me I said dinners ready," She said in a quiet exasperated voice.
The three of them looked round they didn't notice they were the only ones left in the room, "Sorry mum," They all mumbled making their way towards the kitchen.
Gordon noticed the look his mum was giving John and wondered why he looked over at John and noticed that John was still an interesting shade of red, "Johnny you know red really suits you," He whispered as they walked into the kitchen.
John shot him a glare that warned him to back off Gordon decided he would for now but he would annoy the hell out of his brother later when he resumed his teasing.
The table, which was groaning under the weight off all the food, looked fantastic. There were crackers placed around the table though Gordon knew they were mainly for the Danny and Melody, mum was using her best crockery and the best wine glasses though Danny and Melody got plastic glasses and Gordon was sure he had never seen such delicious looking food in his life.
He took his seat next to Kate and Scott and John took theirs. Their father sat at the head of the table smiling warmly at everyone, "Merry Christmas," He said raising his wine glass.
Everyone else at the table with the exception of the kids picked up the wine glasses in front of them and repeated it back to him before taking a sip.
Danny was looking pleadingly at the food he gave his grandmother a look silently asking her could he start eating. She nodded her head at him smiling and everyone at the table laughed as the small boy started shovelling down his food.
Gordon shook his head and picked up his own knife and fork, he vaguely noticed Kate telling Danny to slow down. He vaguely noticed the sound of crackers, and the chatter off his family but he just sat there knife and fork in hand not eating or saying anything not even realising he was doing it. After about 5 minutes John gave him a worried look, "You ok Gordo?" He asked which brought everyone else's attention to him.
Gordon looked nervously round the table under the gaze of his entire family, and wished John had kept his voice low, "Yeah fine," He said letting out a nervous laugh he hated being the centre of attention, "And don't call me Gordo it means fat in Spanish." He said indignantly.
Virgil laughed, "Well we all know that you could do with losing a few pounds," He said in between laughter.
Gordon glared at him hoping his father would tell him off for teasing him but as he looked at his father he noticed he looked as amused as the rest of them, "I don't need to loose weight," He said crossing his arms over his chest.
Lucille sensed trouble between Gordon and Virgil, "Virgil John stop teasing your brother," She said in a warning tone.
"Yes mum," Said Virgil he knew how bad her temper could get and he didn't want to risk upsetting her on Christmas.
Jeff smiled this was just like any other Christmas with this family and he hoped it wouldn't change.
I have now seen a grand prix! I was planning on watching one so I could actually find out what happens in them so I could write Alan's races a bit better if I put anymore in, and for some reason I was sitting in my living room with my sister (who helps me with the story) at 2:00 in the morning watching the Hungarian grand prix and drinking tea (don't ask). But anyway I've now discovered I like them but I haven't had the chance to see anymore since but I hopefully will. Another freaky thing ever since I started this I always compared Alan's racing skills to Michael Schumacher's (the only racing driver I'd ever heard off) and when watching the grand prix I discovered he had the same colour and kind of car I described Alan's as, freaky or what? It freaked me out anyway.
Anyway please review.