Author's Note –Thanks for the comments from email and review…Sorry this chapter has taken so long. Too many commitments! Anyway … Love Adelaide? Hate her? Now you can really decide for yourself...mcj
CHAPTER TWO
A MAN REMEMBERS – PART ONE
A soft English voice on a cold and rainy night; a loving hand stroking tenderly through a mop of tiny curls; the scent of summer lavender; the feeling of being safe.
Memories of his childhood before she was unexpectedly taken away from him, the security of love and being loved and the most precious memories he had of all.
She used to call him "baby" once. He was her "special little boy" and "Daddy's little man". One day, she said, as she gently rocked him in her lap, he would grow up to be just like him.
"Your Daddy is biggest, strongest and bravest Daddy in the world," she whispered while he listened, "and one day my precious little darling, you'll grow up to be like Daddy too."
His head always felt heavy as her caresses lulled him into sleep, but those special words gave him a warm and happy feeling at the end of every day. Of all the things he wanted to be when he grew up, it was to be like Daddy.
Daddy was tall and handsome with great big shoulders and a great big smile.
Daddy was an Astronaut who flew great big rocket ships and wasn't afraid to do anything.
Daddy had gone to the moon.
Daddy had met the President.
Daddy was something special.
And Daddy had one thing in his life he wanted more than anything.
Daddy had Mommy.
She was something special too.
"Daddy." he asked one night as Daddy tucked him snugly into bed. "Why were you looking at Mommy like that tonight?"
"Like what?" was Daddy's answer and the beginnings of a suspicious frown.
At five years of age he didn't know how to describe what he had been observing between his Mother and Father earlier in the night. It was a kind of silent interaction he had never ever noticed before. He tried to find the words to explain what he meant to Daddy but in the end all he could do was look into his eyes and repeat the same words over again.
"Like ... that Daddy."
There was a pause as Daddy stood still and thought about it for a moment and then, as always, his frown melted away.
"Momma's pretty." he smiled, leaning forward to tousle his curls with his hand.
"Well ... for a girl anyway." he added with a smirk.
Daddy's smile was infectious and it wasn't long before it made him smile too. He liked it when Daddy approved of the things he said and he liked it even more when Daddy laughed and joked around with him.
"I think she's real pretty too." he said with a sincerity that came from deep within his heart.
Daddy nodded, bent down to kiss his forehead and proceeded to move towards the door. It was nine thirty, he said, and as much as he'd like to stay and talk to him about Mommy, it was time for little boys to go to sleep.
"Daddy, "he said, watching his hand linger on the light switch, "When I'm big like you, will Mommy be allowed to marry me?"
Daddy laughed, and before he knew what was happening, he felt two strong arms close around him, lift him from the bed and carry him down the hallway.
"Hey princess!" Daddy called, his voice vibrant and full of fun. "Your son's got something he wants to ask you!"
Mommy startled when Daddy carried him into their bedroom and instinctively uttered a small, embarrassed shriek of dismay.
"Jeff!" she exclaimed, reaching forward in the candlelight to pull the covers up over her shoulders, "What in the blazes do you think you're doing!"
He felt the room whirl around as Daddy quickly turned on his heel with him and headed back out the door.
"Whoops!" he said in a funny sort of voice, "Sorry about that Luce."
Once outside in the hall, Daddy put him down and told him to stay put. Mommy was a little "indisposed" right now, he said, and it might be a few more minutes before she'd be "able" to see them.
"I don't know about you Scott but I'll never be able to figure out girls." he joked under his breath, "One minute they're telling us they like surprises and the very next minute they're saying they don't."
Daddy winked.
"And by the sound of Mommy in there at the moment, I think this time was one of the don'ts."
He smiled and looked up at Daddy, trying not to appear confused. He didn't want to say so but he didn't have any idea what Daddy was talking about.
But it was very apparent Mommy knew. While the two of them waited patiently to be invited back into the bedroom, she did nothing but grumble at Daddy.
"Jeff you should know better than to bring one of the kids in here with you at this time of night," she complained. "I've told you over and over again; our bedroom is no place for a child."
He watched Daddy pressing his lips together and trying not to laugh.
"Uh oh," he muttered, giving him a silly grin. "Looks like I'm headed for the couch again."
"You watch yourself out there buster or you will be." Mommy called back.
He looked back up at Daddy with a worried look on his face. He didn't understand why Daddy was still fooling around when Mommy sounded really mad at him.
"Don't worry Daddy." he said, tugging at his shirt and trying to reassure him. "You don't have to sleep on the couch. You can sleep in my bed with me if you want."
"Daddy might just have to do that if he makes the same mistake again." said Mommy walking into the doorway from the glimmer of the candlelit room.
She reached down to tighten her black satin robe at the waist.
"Honestly Jeff!" she frowned, "I'm sure you don't think sometimes."
Daddy smiled, moved forward and pulled Mommy into his arms.
"That's not true Luce! I'm thinkin' right now." he laughed, pulling playfully at the robe and then nuzzling his lips into her neck. "Boy, am I ever thinkin'!"
Mommy shook her head and pushed him away from her.
"You stop that right now." she warned, giving him a hearty slap on the arm. "You're setting a bad example for your son."
Then Mommy turned, reached forward and took his hand in hers.
"Ignore Daddy baby." she sniffed, turning away and leading him into the bedroom. "He's being silly again."
"I am not being silly!" Daddy protested as he followed them into the dimly lit room.
"Yes you are Jeff!" Mommy snapped back. "And one of these days the kids are going to see something they shouldn't because of it."
Daddy shrugged his shoulders at Mommy's tone and decided to stop arguing. Before he got himself into any more trouble he moved towards the sideboard and set about pouring two glasses of wine from the bottle he and Mommy had been sharing over dinner.
Mommy, on the other hand, sat down on the bed she shared each night with Daddy.
"Now, Scott, what did you want to ask me?" she asked, giving him her full attention.
He stood looking at her in the candlelight and was almost too overcome to speak. Her face and her hair were so pretty and her beautiful black robe shimmered in the flames.
He swallowed not knowing if he should say anything.
He looked over at Daddy to help him.
"Go on son." Daddy joked carrying the glasses to the bed and setting them down on top of his Engineering book. "I really want to hear what your Mommy says to this one."
"What do you mean?" Mommy frowned, looking from Daddy to him and back again.
When he still didn't say anything Daddy began to sound expectant.
"Ask Mommy what you asked me in your room just now." he boomed in his authoritative voice.
Mommy looked at him inquisitively.
"What did you say to Daddy baby?" she asked.
He reddened and began to twist his fingers together, trying to find the words. It was hard for him to say how he felt about Mommy and Daddy wasn't making things any easier by laughing about it.
Finally what he was expected to say tumbled awkwardly from his lips.
"Mommy, "he blurted, focussing his eyes on hers and speaking with nothing but a pure and unadulterated love. "When I'm big like Daddy, will you marry me?"
Mommy's brown eyes moved to meet Daddy's and for a few moments Daddy held them deliberately with his own. Then her eyes moved back to his again and a warm and loving smile stole gently across her features.
For a moment he was hopeful the smile meant she was going to say yes. Mommy always smiled just before she said yes to Daddy.
But tonight, her smile was saying something different.
Mommy wasn't about to say yes.
Mommy was about to say no.
"Oh Scott," she began, reaching out to stroke the contours of his face, "I'd be honoured to marry you, really I would, but the truth is sweetheart, I can't."
His whole face crumbled as her words sank slowly into his head.
"Why not Mommy?" he asked her in a tiny, hurt voice. "Don't you love me anymore?"
She tilted her head to one side and tenderly squeezed his hands in hers.
"Of course I do baby. I love you more than anything else in the world."
But despite her reassurance he dropped his head and stared at the carpeting with devastated, tear-filled eyes. She was the centre of his world. How could she say no to something which had taken so much courage to ask her?
"Hey Mr. Unhappy," crooned the gentle voice. "You want to give me a chance to tell you why?"
He shook his head. He didn't want to know why. She had said enough.
But that wasn't going to deter her. After a few more minutes, a soft white hand inched its way forward and began to tickle underneath his chin. Before he could resist, that hand had lovingly coaxed his face to hers.
Her eyes fixed on his and her voice remained steady.
"Baby boy …getting married doesn't work that way I'm afraid." she explained, "You see, even though I know you love me very much and I love you too, I'm already married to Daddy."
"But why can't Daddy share you?" he pleaded, glancing at Daddy for support. "Half of you for me, half of you for Daddy."
"Oh baby." she whispered, pulling him tightly into her arms. "Daddy's not allowed to do that."
A soft English voice; a warm and loving hand stroking tenderly through his curls; the scent of summer lavender; the feeling of being safe... even in the deepest depths of disappointment.
"Don't be sad little man." she whispered. "One day you're going to find someone very special of your own and when you do you're going to love her even more than you love me."
He shook his head in disbelief and stubbornly buried his head in her shoulder.
"No Momma. "he sniffled. "No I won't."
"Yes you will baby." she soothed. "It won't be until you're big like Daddy but you'll find her."
There was silence.
"Baby …you just have to trust me this time."
He felt a little bit better when Mommy said that. Mommy could be trusted completely.
But it didn't stop him feeling disappointed.
"Yes ma'am." he murmured despondently, knowing that was what Daddy expected him to say.
The silence continued.
"Come on, things aren't that bad here are they?" she teased him.
He shrugged his shoulders and buried his head deeper. He felt totally unloved and rejected.
"You know Scott, Mommy's right." interrupted Daddy. "Can you imagine what it would be like if I had to wake up every morning next to Grandma? "
He lifted his head from Mommy's shoulder to look straight into the eyes of Daddy. Daddy winked and screwed up his face at him.
"That would be really scary hey?"
He looked over and winked again at Mommy. "And rather inconvenient too."
Daddy's funny face made him giggle. He couldn't imagine Daddy ever being married to anyone else but Mommy and especially not his feisty Kansas Grandma.
"That's better." said Mommy, tweaking his chin and smiling at him.
He smiled at her in return before wrapping his arms around her neck and nestling into her body. He loved her with all of his heart and was never happier than when was allowed to be close to her.
Their embrace grew stronger.
"Mommy I've been thinking," Daddy said, "and even though it's against our rules to have little boys in our bed I guess I'm happy enough to share you with Scott for one night."
Daddy looked at him and pointed to the great big bed with the crisp scented sheets and the beautiful perfumed candles on the sideboard nearby.
"Only until you go to sleep" he said firmly. "And just this once."
Mommy's eyes met Daddy's.
"It's important to him Luce." Daddy said.
Mommy smiled.
"I know."
"Mommy can be in the middle of us." Daddy directed, pulling back the covers, "And if you promise to let me have my turn later I'll let you hold her first OK?"
Instantly his disappointment melted away and he began to nod his head happily. All he wanted was to be like Daddy and holding Mommy in his arms in the great big bed was what Daddy did.
That night Daddy let him climb into the great big bed; just like he did.
That night Daddy let him blow out the candles near Mommy, just like he did.
That night Daddy let him lie in Mommy's arms; just like he did.
And that night as Mommy held him close to her heart in the darkness, he felt the warmth of a woman he truly loved and fell asleep listening to the words that would never leave his memory.
"The girl you ask to marry you will be beautiful on the outside and beautiful on the inside and she will make you the happiest man in the whole wide world."
Scott Tracy scowled, looked out into the growing light of the dawn on Tracy Island and swallowed the very last dregs of his Scotch.
"Yeah." he muttered with bitterness and leaning forward to pour himself another. "You were beautiful on the outside all right sweetheart."
He swirled the expensive amber liquid in the glass before lifting it to his lips once more.
Then he slammed it down and prepared himself to deal with the hated memory.
"And that's about all."
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Nevada… three long painful years before
A little black dress on a hot Las Vegas night; a neckline plunging downwards for what seemed like forever; a diamond pendant seductively wedged between the contours of her breasts; the promise of unadulterated pleasures to follow…
She always dressed exquisitely whenever they appeared together in public and tonight's candlelit dinner in the corner of her favourite restaurant was definitely no exception. The dress had cost him a week's wages and the pendant was worth nearly a month's but he never complained when it came to providing the best for Adelaide Reynolds.
She was something special.
Well she was certainly special in the bedroom anyway.
But none of it came without a price.
She'd insisted from the beginning that designer clothing and expensive jewellery were essential to her happiness. It showed people they were affluent, she said, and despite his debateable career choice as a Captain in the United States Air Force, he needed to remember he was the eldest son of a billionaire.
He had selected a classic black suit for the most important evening of his life and had debated for hours what accessories he should wear to complement its crisp, well-cut line. The selections he made had pleased her. The diamond studded tie bar and the priceless timepiece on his wrist had class, she said, and the suit looked a hell of a lot better than that frightful Air Force Uniform he wore every day of the week.
"And much more befitting the eldest son of a billionaire." she added.
He chided her good-naturedly for being materialistic and continued to peruse the wine list. There was a lot more to life than designer clothing and possessions, he said without looking up, even if he was the eldest son of a billionaire.
"Like what?" she scoffed, holding up the cutlery to the candlelight and carefully assessing its quality.
"Like happiness Addie." he stressed, lifting his head and looking directly into her eyes. "And love."
Her impeccably manicured hand reached out and touched his.
"We ARE in love darling." she said almost with surprise. "What a silly thing for you to say."
She caressed his hand back and forth and added in a provocative whisper.
"And we can show each other how much we are … later."
Despite his dissatisfaction at her worldliness, he smiled absently and enjoyed the sensation of her touch. Thoughts of "later" overshadowed everything and after two weeks away from her on lonely manoeuvres over the Pacific, "later" was paramount in his mind.
The familiar tingling began between his thighs.
He moved about restlessly, trying to ignore it.
Even though she had a total preoccupation with money and possessions he was hopeless when it came to Adelaide Reynolds. He absolutely couldn't get enough of her and over the past four years he had really damn well tried.
He closed his eyes and allowed a small sigh of bliss to escape from his lips as he visualised the passion of their love life and the paradise he knew awaited him under the little black dress.
His decadent thoughts were interrupted by the waiter who stood clearing his throat in an attempt to gain his attention.
"Excuse me Mr Tracy Sir …"
He coloured, feeling almost like a naughty little boy who had been caught out, and began to stammer.
"Forgive me … err … umm … yes … err hem … a bottle of the French please." he stumbled. "Your finest."
Instantly her hand whipped away from his.
"Darling no !" she complained. "I'm so deadly tired of French champagne each and every time we go somewhere for Dinner!"
People from the surrounding tables stopped in mid-conversation and glanced in their direction. A few of them recognised who he was and began to mutter. He felt himself flush with embarrassment. He didn't like drawing attention to himself and Adelaide was so loud when anything he did displeased her.
"I'm sorry honey." he murmured, trying to avoid a scene. "I was under the impression you liked French Champagne."
She shrugged.
"I do but I'm not in the mood for it tonight. Order me something else will you."
He looked at the waiter and tried to maintain his composure.
"My apologies Sir. Please disregard the order for the champagne. Is there anything else you would recommend for the lady?"
The waiter became uneasy. She had already cost another waiter his job on a previous visit and he didn't want to make a mistake and suffer the same unfortunate fate.
"The new Italian Wines are very good Mr. Tracy." he offered politely. "And we also have some excellent Cava's from the best vineyards in Spain. Would you care to try one?"
He looked in the direction of the imperious young woman.
"The cava's are most palatable Madame and I would highly recommend all of them."
She looked him up and down with contempt.
"So you've tried them all yourself then have you?" she demanded.
The waiter reddened and tried to appear confident under the force of her derisive glare.
"Yes I have sampled most of them Madame." he replied with a nervous courtesy.
She gave the waiter a sniffle of disdain before glancing across the table at him and recognising the clear look of disapproval on his face.
"Whatever." she muttered with a dismissive flip of her wrist. "I just don't want the champagne all right?"
After a few minutes of painful silence, he looked up at the Waiter and handed him back the wine list.
"Thank you." he said uncomfortably. "A bottle of anything you would recommend will be fine."
The Waiter scurried away with relief leaving the two of them alone in the corner of the candlelit room.
Soft music and the intimate atmosphere failed to fill the awkward silence
"Addie …" he began reproachfully. "I wish you wouldn't be so rude."
"I wasn't being rude." she shrugged.
"Yes you were Addie." he insisted in a quiet and unhappy voice. "And rudeness doesn't sit too well with most people I'm afraid."
He paused.
"And it especially doesn't sit well with me."
He paused again before he continued firmly.
"I'm an Officer in the Air Force Addie and you know as well as I do there are expectations."
She opened her mouth to argue but in the end thought better of it.
"Well I'm sorry then." she replied sullenly. "I didn't realise I had to live up to the expectations of the United States Air Force now too."
Her blue eyes filled and she looked discontentedly around the room.
"It's bad enough having to live up to yours." she pouted.
He sighed and rubbed his temple with a frustrated hand. He wished he hadn't said anything at all. It would have been easier to call the waiter aside and apologise himself.
"Look," he said with a little less disapproval in his tone, "We haven't seen each other for over two weeks honey. Let's not argue and spoil things huh?"
She shrugged at him again and continued to sulk.
After a while, he once again resigned himself to having to make the first move. He reached out his hand to gently squeeze hers.
"I've missed you baby."
Silence.
"And I really do love you."
More silence, another pout, and blue eyes looking everywhere but at his.
"Addie please don't do this to me." he sighed. "I don't like it when we argue."
Still more silence.
Then her ice-cold reply.
"I know you don't like it so why are we doing it?."
The silence this time was his.
He only had one weakness and she knew exactly what it was. He would rather walk away from an argument than risk upsetting her and spending the night on the couch. She took every advantage of his one-minded masculinity and even though he felt strongly about the need for courtesy and respect for others, there was no way he was going to argue with her over a waiter and risk ending up on the couch tonight.
He looked her up and down.
Not tonight when every part of him was aching for her.
He forced a tight smile to his lips and squeezed her hand once more.
"Let's just forget about it huh?"
She looked at him without emotion, pulled her hand away and moved to pick up the menu.
"Yes Scott." she said in a flat voice. "Let's."
Her utter coldness raised the small but niggling doubt within him once more. Was he about to do the right thing or was he completely crazy? He guessed from the point of view of decency it was right. They'd been living together as husband and wife for nearly four years anyway. She shared everything he had. It was no big deal when he thought about it. Marriage would only be a formalisation of their existing arrangement.
Of course he was doing the right thing.
His stomach churned.
Right or wrong, crazy or not, he didn't have much of an option. His Father had made it very clear only family would be welcome on Tracy Island. To take her with him, she had to be his wife.
His eyes rested on the little black dress as he grappled with his gut feelings and tried to convince himself Adelaide Reynolds was the type of woman he really wanted in a wife. Since he had been a child, he had pictured his wife being everything his Mother promised him she would be; beautiful on the outside, beautiful on the inside and someone who would make him the happiest man "in the whole wide world."
Well, there wasn't any doubt in his mind that Adelaide Reynolds was beautiful and despite how he felt sometimes about the inconsiderate things she said and did, he supposed he was happy enough.
They were both twenty eight.
They both had similar taste.
They both enjoyed the finer things in life.
It stood to reason their marriage would work.
His inner turmoil continued.
But would it?
Despite it all, he still wasn't sure if what they had together was love, and today, courtesy of his Father, there was no more time to decide.
He sighed and looked down at the starched white table-cloth. He guessed there was no-one to blame for his predicament but himself. After four years, it wasn't as if he hadn't had long enough to think about it.
He just wished he would have known what was coming.
Just over a month ago, he had been summoned from Nellis Air Force Base by his Father to the luxury and solitude of their isolated island home. His Father said he needed to discuss an important family matter with him and it wasn't something that could be spoken about openly in the course of a conversation on the com-link.
His Father acknowledged he was asking a lot. He knew he had commitments with his upcoming manoeuvres in Red Flag but this was the sort of family business which absolutely couldn't wait. Despite the inconvenience it would cause to the squadron, he needed him to convince his Commander to give him a couple of days off and then make the necessary arrangements to fly himself home.
"I'll look forward to seeing you son." he said, expecting his parental request would be instantly obeyed.
And, as usual, it was.
Dutiful as ever, and worried sick something was seriously wrong with his Father or one of his little brothers, he managed to jag a couple of favours, make a lame excuse to Addie and within twenty four hours was airborne and on his way to Tracy Island.
He remembered flying in over the tropical paradise and despite his feeling of detachment, immediately sensed there was something different. He couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was but for some strange reason it seemed to be the terrain. It was nothing whatsoever liked he remembered it and he normally prided himself on the ability to retain even the smallest details of his surroundings.
He dismissed the thought and put it down to too many landing strips over the past six years.
Irrespective of the terrain, Tracy Island was beautiful and Tracy Island was "home" and it had been their home for the past three years; ever since his Father had elected to leave the hustle and bustle of New York City to conduct his multi billion dollar business affairs from a "much more relaxed" environment.
However the atmosphere on Tracy Island was anything but relaxed when his Father revealed what he wanted to talk to him about.
For a while, the reality of what was being said refused to sink into his head. His Father had spent nearly half his fortune carving out the rocky atoll to construct what he continued to refer to, as a top secret rescue base. It was a unique concept, he explained, one that would house an organisation which was to be the first and only one of its kind in the world. It was designed to be undetectable from the air, invisible from the sea and its Thunderbird craft would provide a much needed rescue service to each and every country in the world.
"Political persuasion must never come into it." his Father said emphatically. "In terms of human life, politics means nothing."
He'd always respected his Father as a talented Engineer but as the discussion drew into the night and he was taken underground to view what could only be described an engineering masterpiece; it became clear there was more than one person involved in the design.
The pieces to the puzzle began to fit as they were joined by his Father's young Company Engineer, Hiram Hackenbacker. Fondly nicknamed "Brains", he eagerly explained the capabilities of the various Thunderbird craft and gave his interpretation of how they would be utilised.
He had looked at his Father in amazement. It was now blatantly obvious why the shy, mild mannered young Engineer with the dreadful stutter had been invited to live and work on Tracy Island for the past few years. Mr Hiram Hackenbacker had talent it seemed, and lots of it, and his brilliance and attention to detail complemented his Father's perfectly.
"Father," he breathed, for once in his life completely speechless. "This is unbelievable and I take my hat off to you and Brains for constructing it, but I still don't understand… what made you want to do it in the first place?"
His Father became uncomfortable and murmured something incomprehensible about doing something worthwhile with his money and providing something that was clearly lacking in the world.
"I also hope to address other issues which only have relevance to myself." he added without expression.
He worried when he heard those very guarded words. Whenever his Father clammed up and wouldn't talk it was a sure sign that what was being spoken about had something to do with his Mother.
"I understand Dad," he said not wanting to broach the subject further. "But I still don't get it. I mean ...it's brilliant but who in their right mind would want to run a rescue organisation fifteen thousand miles from the middle of nowhere?"
He'd never forget how his Father looked at him at that moment. Even now he couldn't find the words to describe it.
"I do." he thundered in his deeply powerful voice. "And I want you and your brothers to help me do it."
He had simply stood there dumbfounded. He was sure he had heard him wrong.
His Father went on to elaborate.
International Rescue.
Five sons.
Five Thunderbirds.
As the eldest and a Field Commander in the Air Force, it made sense that he would assume the same pivotal role in International Rescue. He would pilot Thunderbird One. His four younger brothers had respected and looked up to him all their lives, so he didn't anticipate there would be any problems with authority.
Virgil still had his "thing" for the arts and that was never going to change it seemed. But irrespective of all the painting and piano playing in bars there was no doubt in anyone's mind he was a fine Engineer. Virgil also had a level head on his shoulders, a pile of common sense and the gift of a fairly tranquil nature. Of all of the younger ones he was least likely to panic under pressure and would be very suited to operating Thunderbird Two.
"The craft conveying the rescue equipment." he explained.
Then there was John.
It went without saying John would take on the role of astronaut. He would have no trouble alternatively controlling the space crafts; Thunderbirds Three and Five. NASA couldn't speak highly enough of John, and with his knowledge of the universe and total obsession with the stars he would be the perfect choice.
His Father frowned.
But despite his talent and outstanding achievements so far, he still had a bit of an attitude when it came to authority. There wouldn't be room for any sort of attitude in International Rescue and he would be making it very clear to John from the outset, the rebelliousness would have to go.
The moment the word rebellion was uttered, into the conversation came Alan.
Alan, fresh out of college, had been somewhat reluctantly undergoing an accelerated training programme in NASA since graduation. However, from the reports received from NASA so far, it appeared for once in his life the boy was actually applying himself and once he was considered competent, he would join them all on Tracy Island and alternate duties with John. A bit of responsibility might tone him down a little and if nothing else, the month on, month off rotation in Thunderbird Five would keep him out of his racing car and away from the women.
His Father shrugged his shoulders. "Well it will for six months of the year at least."
Last but not least there was Gordon. Recently discharged from the World Aquanaut Security Patrol, Gordon was working hard towards reaching full fitness again so that his exemplary skills in the water could be utilised in Thunderbird Four. What that boy didn't know about Marine Craft wasn't worth worrying about and no-one would be more suited to the job of aquanaut than "my mischief-loving fourth son."
His Father held up his hand.
"And Scott, before you say what I think you're going to say, I want you to hear me out. Alan's young ... I know that. Gordon's still struggling to come to terms with the hydrofoil accident. I know that too. But I also know they are both strong and intelligent young men who are more than capable of saving human life."
He gave the matter an almost military dismissal.
"Don't go worrying yourself about either of them." he said. "They're not our babies any more and I'll be keeping a very close eye on them until they find their feet."
He looked towards his Father with a kind of silent admiration. As usual he had thought of everything, right from who would be most suited to operate each Thunderbird craft, down to how he was going to control the brashness and immaturity of his untamed baby brother.
His Father then ended the conversation rather abruptly and pointed out it was getting late.
"I want you to sleep on it son." he said, "The two of us will talk more about things in the morning."
Well if his Father expected him to sleep that night he was definitely wrong. The whole concept completely floored him and the next day he was still trying to come to grips with the magnitude of it all.
"Dad. I honestly don't know what you want me to say to you." was all he could offer as they sat sipping coffee on the balcony and enjoying the wonderful view.
His Father chuckled and put down his cup.
"Well for a start I was hoping you would say yes." he said congenially. "Son, I know what I'm offering you here isn't the Air Force but it's a chance to make a difference in the world as well as follow other more ... err ... interesting pursuits."
He opened his arms around him to illustrate the magnificence of the surroundings.
"And besides, the fringe benefits of working for me here on Tracy Island are really rather wonderful."
The two of them smiled at each other amiably.
"Yeah Dad, it sure is nice here." he agreed.
Suddenly his Father lowered his voice, looked about and began to speak with a kind of quiet urgency.
"Scott I really do need your help to make this work for me."
He paused.
"It's important to me son."
He lifted his eyes and looked out blankly towards the horizon. It was several minutes before he found the words to continue.
"Not a day goes by when I don't sit out here and remember the old days and the dreadful struggle we all endured without your Mother."
Tears came from nowhere and glistened in his eyes.
"People like her die needlessly every day. They leave behind families. Families like ours Scott, who somehow have to find the strength to struggle on without them."
His voice faltered. "Some people ... I believe ... never get over it."
He paused again, almost with bitterness, and then went on to clear his throat.
"A' hem ... so the way I look at it… if we can make a difference to just one other family with this rescue organisation ... just one... I think I might finally..."
He stopped himself, unwilling to complete the sentence.
"Sir?" he enquired.
His Father reddened and looked away.
"Nothing." he murmured abruptly. "Like I said, this Organisation is important to me so I'd appreciate it if you could see your way clear to give me some sort of answer by this afternoon."
The terseness and agitation in his Father's voice said it all.
"This Organisation is important to me."
Obligation.
He wanted him to say yes.
"Give me some sort of answer by this afternoon."
Expectation.
The only answer he expected to hear was yes.
And despite overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean and indulging in the fantastic lifestyle his Father enjoyed every single day of his life, he didn't know if he really wanted to say yes. He had a life of his own now and an emerging career. What possible future could there be with this?
"Dad," he began awkwardly. "As you know I still have two years to go in the Air Force."
His Father quickly dismissed the argument with nothing but a cursory look of indifference.
"Your discharge can be taken care of." he said.
He swallowed at his sheer vulnerability. The discharge of Captain Scott Carpenter Tracy from the United States Air Force would be nothing but a mere formality if his Father interfered and pulled the appropriate strings. His Father had more connections in the Air Force than anyone and all of them were at the highest possible level.
"What about my brothers then Sir?" he continued. "Have you told them about this?"
"Gordon knows my plans." his Father admitted. "And obviously Alan does too."
Then he hesitated.
"But I've said nothing to John or Virgil yet. I wanted to hear what you had to say first."
He couldn't help but be amused at his Father's predictability. He knew Virgil and John wouldn't be asked to join International Rescue before he was for one reason and one reason only. His Father needed to know he had him on side.
He was the big brother, the one with all the influence, the one who had a unique way of getting the younger ones to do anything and everything their Father wanted them to do. He knew if his Father used the argument; "your brother is prepared to forfeit his Captain's rank in the Air Force to follow the dream of International Rescue", Virgil and John would be prepared to listen to him too.
But he also knew that without him, Virgil, who was strong-minded and independent, and John, who didn't share a particularly close relationship with their Father at the best of times, would both say no point blank.
He sat there dazed, a million thoughts whirling in his head.
So it was all up to him then.
If he said yes – the Thunderbirds would fly.
If he said no …
"Well son?" boomed the voice of authority.
He felt his stomach lurch.
"Dad I need more time to think about it." he faltered.
His Father's eyebrows drew together in a frown. He was clearly displeased at his perceived negativity.
"Why do you need to think about it? Don't you think the organisation has merit?"
"Oh no Sir … of course it does …it's wonderful but …"
He paused and put down his own cup.
"Sir, my procrastination has nothing to do with the organisation. I just have a number of things I have to consider besides walking away from the Air Force."
"Such as?" was the imperious reply.
His nervousness grew as he realised he had no option but to tell his Father about his relationship with Adelaide Reynolds.
He began to stumble. "Well …umm ... it's like this Dad. "he stammered. "I'm… I'm sort of seeing someone at the moment."
There was a surprised lull in the conversation, almost as if, at twenty eight, his Father expected him to be leading the same lonely and celibate life he was.
"You've never said anything to me about a woman." was the quiet accusation.
"I know Sir." was the equally quiet reply.
He stopped short of saying it was because he knew he probably wouldn't approve of her.
The voice poised on disapproval and suspicion.
"Is it serious?"
He coloured, realising with shame he didn't know the answer to that himself. In the four years he and Adelaide Reynolds had been together, it had never occurred to him where their relationship might be heading or in fact, if it was heading anywhere at all.
"There's no ring Dad if that's what you mean." he finally admitted.
His Father's chin lifted authoritatively.
"Then it would be reasonable for me to assume it isn't anything serious."
The statement was made almost as easily as his statement about arranging a discharge from the Air Force. End the career… no problem. End the relationship … no problem there either.
Before he had a chance to explain about the way things were with Adelaide, his Father dropped the real bombshell.
"Scott what you do in your private life is your own business and I am fully aware of that. The only reason for my concern is security. The security of International Rescue depends entirely on secrecy and it is my intention to strictly maintain that secrecy at all costs," he warned. "Once operations begin here I will not be prepared to compromise for anything or anybody. I hope I'm making myself clear."
The authority left his voice.
"I do understand you have needs only a woman can satisfy son." he said quietly.
"Dad I …" he heard himself flounder.
But his Father wasn't listening. He simply stared straight ahead and continued emotionlessly on.
"And it goes without saying all of you will be given the time and the money to pursue whatever those needs entail."
The authority returned with an unmistakeable emphasis.
"Off Base."
Those two words echoed through his head over and over again as he sat staring at the tablecloth in the corner of the intimate restaurant.
Why he hadn't said no at that point he honestly didn't know. He didn't have too much of an issue about leaving the Air Force to fly that classy silver Thunderbird, but he had a real issue with being expected to live the life of a monk on a tropical island fifteen thousand miles from the middle of nowhere. Surely his Father could understand a few days leave every now and then wouldn't be enough for any man to ...well to "pursue his needs."
Well couldn't he?
But one look at the stony face of Jefferson Tracy told him he couldn't and it wasn't a subject he was prepared to discuss anymore either.
And so, feeling sick to the depths of his stomach, he gave the answer his Father wanted to hear and returned to his life in Nevada, fully aware that if Virgil and John agreed to the proposal too, his days in the Air Force were numbered.
And so were his days with Adelaide Reynolds.
For a couple of weeks he heard nothing and he began to wonder if the dream of International Rescue would only ever be a dream. He was tempted to call his Father to see if his two middle brothers were being difficult, but in the end decided to restrain himself and remain silent. It was no skin off his nose if he stayed in the Air Force.
Virgil eventually called to discuss things and right from the beginning made it clear he was unhappy with their Father. As second eldest he took exception to being the last one asked, wasn't sure if he agreed with it anyway and was very unwilling to commit himself.
"Virgil someone's got to go last." he offered to the disgruntled face glaring at him from the depths of the minute plasma screen.
"You're right, someone does and isn't it funny how that someone always happens to be me." was the acid reply.
"Oh come on Virg settle down huh?" he urged. "Dad probably doesn't even realise."
"Dad doesn't realise a lot of things and one of them is I just might not share his enthusiasm for wanting to rush out and save the world at this particular point in my life."
His features settled into an uncustomary frown.
"Honestly Scott you amaze me sometimes. I can't believe the "in for life career man" would actually consider giving up his Commission to go along with this crazy rescue scheme of Dad's. That's the reason I called you. I told Johnny I had to hear you say it to me for myself."
Virgil had always had a knack of injecting doubt into matters of family argument especially when he didn't think the decision being made was right. He had a special gift of intuition when things were important and nine times out of ten he ended up being right.
But this time it was different. Right or wrong, intuition or no intuition, the decision regarding International Rescue had been made, and there was no backing out of it now.
"All right if you need to hear me say it, consider it said to you then." was his dry reply. "Dad wants the five of us to make International Rescue work for him and that's the end of it from where I stand."
Virgil shrugged his broad shoulders with his usual non-chalantness.
"Well if that's the way it is then, dear old Dad's going to have to do a hell of a lot more talking if he wants Johnny to jump ship for him." he pointed out. "Did you know he said no last week without taking a breath?"
Virgil waited for him to comment.
When he didn't, he added. "Dad was so pissed off. By the time he got around to calling me he was so angry, I felt like I was the one to blame or something."
He never thought he'd ever feel the need to justify his Father's actions but all of sudden the words of defence seemed to pour out of him from nowhere.
"Dad had every right to be pissed off if that's the way John spoke to him." he stressed with brotherly firmness. "He's been more than good to us since Mom died and this is the first and only time he's ever asked for something back."
Virgil gave a sarcastic huff.
"Good to us? Maybe to those of us who didn't remind him too much of our Mother you mean." he shot back, still nursing the pain of his unhappy childhood memories.
"Virgil you know as well as I do that's not true," he interjected." There's no way you can look me in the face and say Dad wasn't good to you too."
His younger brother looked dubious.
"You can believe whatever you want I suppose, but it's Johnny, not me, you have to convince. I'm telling you right now Scott, he's completely "antsy" when it comes to Dad and no matter what you or anyone says, he is NOT going to come back to the fold for International Rescue."
The brother who bore such a striking resemblance to the first and only woman he had ever loved stood firm, waiting for the rebuttal.
The rebuttal came but not with the force he expected.
"Johnny has to do it for him Virg." were his impassive words. "One of his reasons for doing this is our Mother."
Virgil frowned suspiciously.
"Did Dad tell you that?"
"Don't be stupid. Of course he didn't tell me that."
"Well how do you know then?"
"I just do all right?" he snapped. "And believe me, if I thought he was doing this for any other reason I'd have said no to him myself."
The two of them looked at each other through the screen in stony silence.
"Jesus, Scott." Virgil murmured. "You really do mean that don't you?"
"Of course I do. You ought to know by now an Officer in the United States Air Force means everything he says."
The comment, intended to make fun of their Father's favourite line to them when they were children, immediately aggravated the even-tempered Virgil.
"Oh spare me will you?" he flashed, "I've put up with Dad's military crap for the whole twenty five years of my life and I don't need you to feed me any more of it now."
Virgil's unexpected outburst startled him. He thought he'd take the familiar old line as a joke. But the disgruntled features bristling at him through the com-link told him he was wrong. Virgil didn't think anything was funny at the moment and by the look of him, was almost as "antsy" as their brother professed to be.
"All right I'll just look you in the face and give it to you straight then." he snarled in return. "Our Father is doing this for our Mother and you and Johnny owe him just as much as I do. You can take that little piece of "military crap" any way you damn well like."
"Thank you Captain Tracy. I believe I will." Virgil sniffed.
Then a broad grin broke across his features.
"And just for the record SIR, that's all you needed to say to me in the first place."
He shook his head. Sometimes he just couldn't keep up with Virgil. One minute he was troublesome and arguing the point, the next he was smiling and acting like he'd been agreeing all along.
A smile broke across his own face. He really did love this brother. They were completely the opposite of each other in everything they said and did, but strangely enough, when they were together, they were the perfect allies.
"OK smart-ass" he laughed. "Just for the record, I'll remember you said that."
With the atmosphere between them relaxed, the two of them went on to talk things over and after a long discussion agreed John should be approached again.
"But it's better if I do it." Virgil said with a forthrightness which instantly earned him the infamous Scott Tracy glare.
"And what, may I ask, qualifies you to say that?"
"Well …no offence or anything big brother." said the calm and sensible voice. "But Johnny's got a bit of a thing about how close you are to Dad and the way I figure it, if you're the one who asks him to reconsider, even if you say it's for Mom, it may as well be the old man asking for all the good it will do."
This time he received more than the infamous glare for his trouble.
"That's a load of crap Virgil. I know how to handle Johnny with both hands tied behind my back."
But the voice of reason was unrelenting.
"Scott, if the object of this exercise is to get Johnny to join us, I suggest you listen to me for a change. Butt out for once in your life."
The chestnut features lit up again into the same magic smile a beautiful young woman once gave a wide-eyed little boy as he stood next to her bed so many years ago.
"You may not like to admit it, but you're not the only one who qualifies as a big brother in this family you know." he smirked.
The smile grew bigger.
"And hey …JUST for the record Captain, I'm really rather good at it."
Their conversation ended with both of them laughing at their pathetic power-struggle and Virgil promising to do everything he could to convince John to reconsider.
But in the days and weeks that followed he heard nothing from anyone again.
Nothing from his Father.
Nothing from Virgil.
Until today when he landed his sleek air force jet on the tarmac at Nellis Air Force base after an exhausting and exhilarating two weeks in the squadrons of Red Flag.
The message from Tracy Island was curt and to the point. His discharge from the Air Force had been arranged and he would be free to leave Nellis at the end of the month. He was to leave quietly and without fuss. Under no circumstances was he to draw any attention to himself or say anything to anyone about why he had "resigned his commission."
"You have two weeks to finalise your affairs on the mainland and attend to your personal matters." his Father informed him. "Then I will require you here."
"Attend to your personal matters."
He knew without asking what his Father meant by that. He only had two weeks to decide whether to end his relationship with Adelaide Reynolds, do something about it or make "other arrangements."
His attention reverted to stunning blonde in the little black dress.
Ending the relationship wasn't even an option to him and neither was the demeaning thought of having to make "other arrangements" with her to periodically "pursue his needs." What he had was physically satisfying and he wasn't prepared to give it up for International Rescue.
Marrying her was the right thing to do.
His hand moved nervously to his jacket pocket and rested on the carefully concealed box.
Marrying her was the only thing he could do.
He cleared his throat and began. "Addie."
She looked over at him through the candlelight.
"Yes?"
"Addie …Dad called me today."
She picked up her glass with indifference and moved it in the direction of her lips.
"Your Father always calls." she shrugged taking a sip of the carefully selected cava. "Mmm…" she observed half to herself and half to him. "You know this isn't bad considering you allowed some waiter to select it for you."
He deliberately chose to ignore the pointed remark and tried to concentrate on what he was about to say. Even though his proposal was completely the result of necessity, for both their sakes in the future, he wanted it to be sincere.
She, on the other hand, gave no thought to what she was saying at all.
"So?"
"So what?"
"So, Scott, which one of them does he expect you to sort out for him this time?"
Again he chose to ignore her. She had never understood the fatherly devotion he had to his little brothers and he had long since given up hope that she would. She also hated the fact his Father relied on him for support whenever there were problems. They all needed to take a good, hard look at themselves, she said, stand on their own two feet for a change, and leave him alone to lead his life with her.
"No Adelaide." he said grimly. "That wasn't why he called."
She moved the glass to her lips once more.
"Humph that's a first." she scoffed raising her eyebrows at him. "Wouldn't you agree?"
He ignored her for the third time and lifted his own glass.
"You're right." he nodded, trying to change the subject. "This is rather a palatable drop."
Their glasses lowered to the table in unison.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"For goodness sake Scott!" she snapped with growing impatience. "What did your Father want?"
He shifted again in the chair and nervously glanced about. Her voice was becoming loud again and he knew those at the adjoining tables would take great delight in listening to anything he had to say to her. He also knew everyone in the restaurant was aware he was Jefferson Tracy's eldest son. He grimaced and tried to pretend it didn't bother him, but he was never comfortable discussing anything to do with his Father or Tracy Enterprises when he thought he might be heard.
"Don't worry, it wasn't anything important." he mumbled.
He immediately admonished himself in disgust. What in the hell was he saying to her? Of course what his Father had wanted was important and if he wanted Adelaide Reynolds to agree to become a part of it, he had to tell her everything and he had to tell her now.
"Wait a minute baby." he confessed in a low and guilty voice. "I'm afraid that isn't quite the truth. "
Well if he didn't have her attention before, he certainly had it now. The words had hardly left his mouth before her eyes riveted to his.
"What do you mean it isn't quite the truth?"
This was getting difficult. Tangled in a deadly web of lies and inconsistency, there was now no option but for him to come clean about his hasty summons to Tracy Island.
"Listen Addie, Dad didn't call me home last month because my Grandmother was ill." he admitted as quietly as he could. "He called me home to talk to me about my future in the Air Force."
She frowned and looked at him questioningly.
"Your future?"
"Yes."
Silence.
"So why did you tell me your Grandmother was ill?"
Silence.
"I dunno Addie. I guess I had to tell you something."
Her face reddened.
"So rather than admit you still have to jump six feet in the air every time your Father opens his mouth, you decided to lie to me." she snapped.
"It wasn't my intention to lie to anyone."
Her accusing voice cut the air like a knife.
"But you did lie Scott and you kept right on lying even when you came back."
This wasn't a good start to a marriage proposal. She was still in a huff over the waiter and of all the things she hated it was lies. He cursed himself for not taking the time to think of a more honest excuse when his Father had called him home.
"OK Addie, I admit that I lied and I'm really very sorry. But you have to understand I didn't have much of a choice with this. Dad asked me not to say anything to anyone and I promised him I wouldn't."
"What? Even to me?"
He hung his head. He couldn't bring himself to tell her he'd only just admitted he was seeing her.
"Yes honey. Even to you."
Silence.
Thank goodness for the gift of common sense. She was insulted enough he didn't trust her and after nearly four years together, he supposed he couldn't blame her. Despite their occasional ups and downs their relationship had always been one hundred per cent honest and they had never kept any secrets from each other.
"So …I gather from the sudden confession you're prepared to tell me now?"
His head nodded stiffly. He had to tell her everything. He knew he did. She had a right to know he'd be flying Thunderbird One at ridiculous speeds at all hours of the day and night to destinations all over the world. She had a right to know he'd be calling the shots in dangerous and life-threatening situations, risking his life for people he'd never met before and would never meet again. She had a right to know if anything went wrong he might not be coming home to her and she would be left alone.
But he couldn't tell her all of it until after she had a wedding ring planted firmly on her finger. He knew what her answer would be if he did.
He found himself glancing around the room again. He should never have decided to do this in a restaurant. It was far too risky. His Father's warning to keep a low profile and not draw any attention to himself sounded loudly in his head.
His hand left the pocket of his coat and reached across the table for hers. She reluctantly allowed him to take it but the look she gave him in the semi-darkness was that of total suspicion and distrust.
"Baby I know should have told you this before but I wasn't even sure it would happen."
He watched her carefully for some sort of reaction but as usual the ice-cool Adelaide Reynolds gave away nothing. When her expression didn't alter he stumbled blindly on.
"Addie…it's like this. Dad's asked me to resign my Commission to go and work for him."
Their eyes locked in the candlelight.
"And I've decided to accept. I leave Nellis in a fortnight."
Her eyes widened with surprise and for a few moments she was too shell-shocked to speak. For as long as they'd been together she had been trying to convince him to forget about his stupid passion for speed and suicidal flight and take his rightful place beside his Father in the cut-throat world of Tracy Enterprises. He was the eldest son of a billionaire, she told him, and he owed it to himself and to her to be moving in more appropriate circles than those of the United States Air Force.
"Oh my God Scott ..." she breathed. "I can't believe you've finally come to your senses."
Oh boy. He wished she hadn't said that. If she knew what he was actually going to be doing for his Father, she'd not only tell him he was crazy, she'd move to have him committed for sure. But for now she didn't need to know and he had no earthly intention of telling her.
The charade continued.
"What did your Father say to make you change your mind?" she asked, still completely stunned.
He forced himself to smile.
"Dad can be pretty persuasive when he wants to be." he said, trying to sound laid back. "I guess you could say this time he made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
He watched with trepidation as her whole expression changed, but as she broke into her selfish, self-centred prattle, he realised he had nothing to fear with his decision to propose. Faced with the reality of finally living the kind of life she had only ever dreamed of, her displeasure at his deception had vanished into nowhere.
"I'm going to have to buy a whole new wardrobe when the two of us get to New York. "she babbled, her eyes sparkling with the excitement of further material wealth. "And you'll have to update the Jag as soon as we arrive. It can't be good for business to have you driving a car that's almost twelve months old."
Now his stomach really began to churn.
"Addie ..." he interrupted.
"And then there's the Penthouse I've always wanted. Scott, we simply have to have the Penthouse."
She paused and squeezed his hand. "Imagine it darling… the future of Tracy Enterprises locked together overlooking the Hudson. My God …" she breathed, closing both eyes and imagining the sensation of their bodies as one in the darkness . "How good is that gonna be."
Any other time he'd be swept away with the thought of her lying naked in his arms high above New York City, but at the moment all he could do was panic.
"Addie please." he interrupted again.
But she still hadn't taken a breath.
"We'll need somewhere for your corporate jet to land of course ... I don't want you wasting your time at Airports. And it will have to be big enough for us to hold dinner parties. You know I won't be able to survive without dinner parties."
"Addie ... please …"
"And once a week I can …"
"Addie listen to me. The job isn't in New York." he blurted, blindly divulging the information he hadn't wanted to give her.
It took quite a few minutes for her to absorb it.
"What?" she gasped.
"I said the job Dad's offered me isn't based in New York." he repeated trying to convince himself he wasn't feeling sick. "I'll be visiting the New York Offices every now and then but only when Dad needs me to."
He felt her hand slacken in his grasp and saw her whole face fall. She had always had her heart set on living in New York and clearly wasn't pleased he was taking that away from her.
"Tracy Enterprises is based in New York." she said firmly. "And as far as I'm concerned that's where the two of us are going to live."
He was really uneasy now. The way this conversation was heading it wouldn't be long before she started asking him questions and he knew he was going to have to answer her.
He lifted her hand to his lips and looked at her through the candlelight with his flashing blue eyes. If ever he needed to call on the gift of the Tracy charm it was now.
"Well if nothing else I like the idea of you and me together overlooking the Hudson." he grinned, carefully easing his way around the difficult subject. "That's enough to make any man head to New York."
"I'm glad you see it my way." she said dispassionately. "Because that's the way it is."
Silence and the unmistakeable echoing of his Father's words.
"Attend to your personal matters."
"Once operations begin I will not be prepared to compromise security for anything or anybody."
"Anybody."
He knew anybody included the beautiful Adelaide Reynolds.
And thus began the most devastating conversation of his life.
"Adelaide I've been thinking."
"Really? What about this time?"
"You and me."
"What? Overlooking the Hudson?"
"No … well yes … who wouldn't?"
"Scott Tracy you're insatiable."
"I guess I've been away from you too long babe."
Silence.
"But seriously Addie I'm twenty eight and … ummm… I think it's time I settled down."
"Leaving the Air Force is a step in the right direction."
"Yes I suppose so. But that's not exactly what I meant."
"What exactly do you mean then?"
"I was talking more about you and me."
He squeezed her hand.
"Us."
Silence.
"What about us?"
"We've been together for a long time baby."
"I know. Four years in the fall."
Silence.
Four years.
Four years of good times, mutual friends, and intense physical pleasure. Even with her egotism and lack of consideration for others, he had to admit he'd enjoyed every single minute of it. She was beautiful, she was sensual and each and every time he lay trapped deep within the depths of her abyss, he told himself life couldn't get any better.
"Addie. You know you mean the world to me don't you?"
"I like to think I do."
"And I love you very much."
"The feeling's mutual."
"And when I umm…leave Nellis … I don't want to have to live without you."
"You won't."
Silence.
"Provided you talk your Father into letting you live in New York."
Silence.
"Baby I've already told you, the job Dad's offered me isn't anywhere near New York."
"And I've already told you New York is where we're going to live."
"I can't live in New York Addie."
"Why the hell can't you?"
"I just can't."
Silence.
"I can't because the job's based at home."
"Home? Like the middle of the Pacific Ocean?"
"Yes."
Silence.
"What the hell's your Father got you doing all the way out there?"
Silence.
"Addie I'm not allowed to tell you."
"You're expecting me to go and live out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and you're not allowed to tell me?"
"I can't... not yet anyway."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means exactly that."
Silence.
"It's illegal isn't it?"
"No! Of course it's not illegal. My Father's the most honest person on this earth."
"More honest than his son it seems."
"Addie I am not lying to you."
"Well tell me what you're doing then."
"I can't. It's business."
"Illegal business."
"It is NOT illegal."
An authoritative voice sounded out beside them.
"Is everything all right here Mr. Tracy?"
He looked up to recognise the stern face of the Maitre D' and to realise everyone in the restaurant was looking at them. He turned scarlet. Dear Lord he would really be in trouble now. Not only was an Officer in the United States Air Force arguing with a woman in a public place, the eldest son of Jefferson Tracy was being loudly accused of involvement in illegal activities. He swallowed at his stupidity. He should have known better than to start this at all.
He pulled at his collar and tried to regain his composure.
"Forgive me Sir. I didn't realise our conversation had become so loud."
The Maitre D' gave him a testy nod and moved away from the table.
"Very good Mr. Tracy."
Silence.
"Don't even think about blaming me. You were every bit as loud as I was."
"I'm not blaming you. The whole thing was my fault Adelaide. I shouldn't have said anything about it in the first place."
Silence.
"So now what? Are you just going to sit there all night and say nothing?"
"No but this isn't the place to discuss our private life let alone the confidential business affairs of my Father."
"Scott ..."
"Leave it alone Addie. Can't you see I've made a big enough fool of myself already?"
There was a curt and very clear warning in his tone and for once she was astute enough to recognise it. But her eyes continued to question him throughout the rest of the meal and he was more than happy when they were able to leave the restaurant so their conversation could continue alone.
"I'm very sorry for my earlier indiscretion Sir." he apologised as he paid the cheque and offered a substantial tip. "I can assure you it will never happen again."
The Maitre D' smiled agreeably and accepted the money from his outstretched hand.
"All completely forgotten Mr. Tracy." he said, folding the ten brand new notes and sliding them into the pocket of his jacket. "I trust we will see you and the young lady soon."
"Yes …thank you." he replied. "Good night to you Sir."
He sighed and walked out to where she waited, her blonde magnificence bathed in the artificial daylight of the hot Las Vegas night. He didn't know what the next few hours between them would bring and despite the altercation earlier, deep down in his heart he hoped things would somehow work out.
His eyes scanned the clear unclouded sky.
"The girl you ask to marry you will be beautiful on the outside and beautiful on the inside and she will make you the happiest man in the whole wide world."
If only she was here to give him guidance. If only she could assure him Adelaide was the one.
But she wasn't here anymore.
She hadn't been here for nineteen years.
He extended his hand towards her.
"Walk with me Ads?" he offered.
The hand that took his was once again reluctant and he didn't need too much intelligence to recognise she was unhappy.
They set off along the brightly lit sidewalk.
And thus continued the most devastating conversation of his life…
"Addie I'm sorry for how I spoke to you in the Restaurant. I'm afraid all this has hit me at once and I'm having a lot of trouble dealing with it."
"You're not the only one having trouble at the moment you know. Do you realise how upsetting it is to be told you're expected to move to an island in the middle of nowhere with someone who's doing God knows what and isn't prepared to tell you what it is?"
"I know I'm asking a lot. But I need you to trust me on this one."
She stopped and pulled her hand away in frustration.
"Trust you? Scott why the hell can't you trust me?"
Silence.
"Baby all I can say is that what Dad's asked me do isn't illegal or immoral and it's going to make a very big difference to a lot of people in the world."
"While I sit around rotting in hell at your Father's expense."
"Addie.. no. Tracy Island is far from being hell. It's beautiful out there …and besides you'll be free to come and go as often you please."
"Free? How the hell can I be free? Unlike you, I don't spend every spare minute of my time playing with aircraft and it's a damn long way to swim."
"Don't be silly. There'll always be someone coming or going to the mainland."
Silence.
"I love you babe and I don't want to do this without you. Please come with me. You'll have the finest of everything I promise."
Silence.
"I mean it Addie. Anything you want it'll be yours."
Silence.
"Anything?"
"Yes."
"All right… I want a Penthouse in New York."
"I can buy you that."
"And I want to have dinner parties."
"We can have dinner parties when I'm over there on Business."
"Scott, a couple of lousy business trips isn't enough to make up for living my life most of the year on a God damned tropical island."
Silence.
He braced himself, reached into his pocket with his free hand and carefully took out the small velvet box. This wasn't anything like he'd planned it but it was better than no proposal at all. Without taking his eyes off her he opened his palm to reveal the box.
"Will something like this make you change your mind?"
Silence.
"Addie all evening I've been trying to find the right time to tell you that I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Silence.
She wasn't reacting at all.
"Baby don't you understand me? I'm asking you to become my wife."
He opened the box to signal his intent was genuine. A simple but elegant gold band set with delicate diamonds and sapphires sparkled brightly in the night lights of Las Vegas.
Silence.
She still didn't react.
"Addie?"
Silence.
"Addie please say something."
Silence …and the shake of disbelief from a bottle blonde head.
"You're joking with me now right?"
"Huh? No ... no I mean it. I want us to get married. The sooner we do it the better."
"I'm not talking about getting married. I'm talking about THAT."
"What? The ring?"
"Yes Scott. THE RING. I can't believe you're standing there offering me something like that. "
"What do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean? It's cheap, it's hideous and it's totally inappropriate for a billionaire's wife that's what I mean."
Silence.
Silence from her.
Silence from him.
Silence from both of them.
And then his reply of frozen outrage.
"Adelaide, I'll have you know this ring belonged to my Mother."
NEXT CHAPTER - A MAN REMEMBERS - PART 2 (LIAISONS IN NEW YORK)