Chapter 32
Sam was unpacking her belongings and listening to her stereo. Classical music blended in with the sounds of the ocean coming in through her open windows and door. She placed her framed cap and tassel from graduation on the bookshelf with her trophies. She hung her Letterman's jacket in her closet and sat down at her desk. She had a stack of papers that she needed to sort through. She kept only her best papers and the rest she threw in the wastebasket. She glanced at her memory board and smiled as she thought back over the last few years and how she and her brothers had changed.
"I'm going to miss Scott this school year but at least we'll all have something in common again since John and I will be in college," she thought. "I wish that Oxford was closer so that we could see him more than during the winter holidays. Gordon and Alan will be leaving about the same time as Scott. Alan doesn't really need to be there but Gordon wants him to come along. Virgil will at least see us a bit more regularly." She sighed and went to her bathroom and unpacked her toiletries. After she had completed her chores she went out on to her balcony and leaned against the railing. A small smile played on her lips as the sunlight caught the diamond of her promise ring. Alex had really surprised her with his heartfelt speech but she knew that deep in her heart that they belonged together.
"He seems to be a special young man and it's obvious that he loves you and by the look on your face you love him," said a voice from behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to see her dad. He joined her at the railing.
"I do love him, Dad," she replied softly. "But as he told you at our graduation, he and I have much to do with our lives before we get married. Alex is going to Harvard with John and me. He wants to be an engineer that specializes in chemicals that we could use with IR. I told him that after I graduate from Harvard that I would be applying to NASA for the astronaut program. I warned him of the risks that I would be taking but that I wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps. Despite knowing all of that, he still wants to marry me eventually." She leaned against her dad and looked down at where Gordon and Alan were goofing off in the pool with Tin-Tin and Virgil.
"Can I ask you something personal, Dad?" she asked hesitantly. When he nodded his answer she swallowed hard and began. "How did you know that you loved Mom enough to want to be with her for the rest of your life?" He looked down at her and smiled as he thought back to the day he realized that he knew Lucy was the one for him.
"I knew because I thought of no other woman the way I did her," he began. "She was the first thought I had when I woke up and the last thought as I fell asleep. I wanted to make myself better just so that I could do better for her. I wanted to be with her all of the time and dreamed of waking up with her by my side and lying next to her at night." He gazed out over the ocean and the gentle smile played on his lips. Sam's smile matched his as she imagined the love her parents had shared and hoped that she and Alex would have the same kind of life. Jeff noticed her smile and how much she looked like Lucy.
"Sam, you are still young so don't rush into anything," he warned gently. "Live your life and try things before settling down."
"I'm not getting married tomorrow," she replied. "I have Harvard and then NASA to get through. Dad, when the time comes, will you say yes?"
"I will give my blessing as long as I know that is what you want and that it will make you happy," he replied. "When will you see Alex again?"
"When John and I fly back to Boston," she answered. "How are we going to manage getting everyone where they need to be this year?"
"I was hoping that you could fly Scott to Boston and then he can catch a flight to England. You, Virgil, and John will share the prop plane," he responded. "I will fly Gordon and Alan to Colorado Springs. At the holiday break, you, John, and Scott get out first so Scott will get a flight back to Boston and then he can fly home with you. You'll have to stop and pick Gordon and Alan up on the way home." They noticed the boys running towards the stairs and up to the balcony.
"Dinner in five minutes," said Gordon as he ran by with Alan right behind him. John walked out of his balcony door and looked over to see Sam and their dad standing there. Sam looked up at him when he joined them. He was now five inches taller than her.
"What are you doing up here, Dad?" he asked as he leaned against the railing next to Sam.
"Talking with my daughter," he replied. "Let's head down to the dining room." He led them downstairs with Virgil, Gordon, and Alan behind them. Scott came up the path from the beach and joined them at the table. The conversation was lively and informative. Scott had received a letter stating that he was to arrive at school in one week. Gordon and Alan were due back at school in two weeks. The rest had two weeks also.
"Scott needs to head out tomorrow so that he can take his time and get settled in his apartment. Lady Penelope will help you find your way around for a few days," said Jeff. "Gordon and Alan, I'll fly you to school next week and we can do your school shopping then. Sam and John, I need you to fly Scott to Boston so that he can catch a flight from there. That will also give you time to settle into the townhouse and get used to it. Virgil, you can stay with them until it's time to go to New York."
"Yes, Sir," replied six voices at once. One by one they were excused from the table and all of them headed towards the beach. Sam and John went first followed by Scott, Virgil, and then the Terrible Two. Sam walked along the beach with her shoes slung over her shoulders. The soft waves lapped over her feet and relaxed her as she walked. John was next to her and lost in his own thoughts. It wasn't until someone jumped on his back did he realize that his brothers were on the beach also.
"You never made a good piggyback," complained Gordon as he glanced over to see Alan standing behind Sam with his arms thrown over her shoulders. She was laughing at him.
"Sorry, Alan, I'm the same height as you so no piggyback rides for you anymore," she teased. She turned to Scott and grinned. "Scott on the other hand has always given great piggyback rides." She walked towards him. Every step she took towards him, he took one step back.
"Sam, what are you planning on doing?" he asked as he continued to back away. He stopped when he bumped into Virgil. Sam took the opportunity to dart behind Scott and hop up on his back.
"Give me a piggyback ride, Scotty," she cried as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Their brothers laughed as Scott jogged down the beach a little ways with Sam on his back. When he stopped, she slid down to the sand and laughed as she wrapped her arm around his waist. The rest of their brothers caught up to them as they stared out over the ocean as the sun slowly began to set. Sam sat down and let the water splash over her legs. Gordon and Alan plopped down next to her and before long took turns splashing each other. They didn't see Virgil sneak up behind Alan as Scott got behind Gordon and John got in position behind Sam. They nodded at each other and dragged them into the water. Gordon and Alan were able to twist out of Scott and Virgil's grasp. Sam was able to maneuver herself to a point where she pulled John down in the water next to her. Once he was down, she jumped up and ran a few feet away from him. She burst out laughing at his expression.
"Like you didn't expect that?" she giggled. With a nod from John, the other four quickly surrounded her and dragged her back into the water towards John.
"Hi, Sis," he said as she looked up at him. With the exception of Alan, who was the same height as Sam, all of her brothers were taller than her. They surrounded her and that meant that Jeff couldn't see her when he began to walk towards them. If he wouldn't have heard her laugh mixed in with that of her brothers, he wouldn't have known that she was there. He paused and watched his sons drag her into deeper water. They had just reached a spot that the water was up to Sam's neck and a big wave came in and went over her and the boys. They were all pushed towards the beach and surfaced one by one. Sam came up last and sputtered out the sea water as she pushed her hair out of her eyes. John and Gordon grabbed her arms and helped her to the beach. She began giggling again as she looked at her brothers.
"Are you okay?" Scott asked as he walked over to her. Sam nodded her head and looked around the beach. "What are you looking for?"
"My shoes," she answered as she began to walk a little ways up the beach and back again. "It's a good thing that I bought an identical pair. Why is it that I always end up having my shoes ruined or lost?"
"Did you need us for something, Dad?" asked John as he turned his attention to their dad.
"I just came down to see what you were all up to," he answered as they all fell into step around him. "I wanted to make sure that you were all packed and ready to fly out tomorrow." He looked around at Sam, John, Scott, and Virgil.
"I still need to pack my clothes and some other odds and ends that I want to have in Boston," said Sam in response to his questions. "I'll need to buy some new things in Boston but not much."
"Same here," answered John and Virgil at the same time. Sam walked over to where Gordon and Alan were walking together. She grabbed each of them by the hand and walked with them. They looked at her gratefully as they realized that she had understood their sudden quietness. Jeff wasn't blind to what she'd done either and he knew that this year would be harder on all of them including him. Never before had they been so scattered. When they reached the house, the siblings went to their rooms to change out of their wet clothes. The oldest four began to pack their stuff for their departure the next day. Sam had all of her clothes packed and then went to Virgil's art studio across the hall and back into her darkroom. She had some negatives that she wanted to develop. They were of pictures of her and her brothers together and alone. She wanted to have them around the townhouse. She had her music playing and worked on her film. When she was done and had the pictures hanging up and drying she went back to her room.
She had just finished packing a few odds and ends when someone knocked on her door. She pressed the remote and opened the door. Gordon and Alan came into the sitting room and into her bedroom.
"Sam, can we talk to you for a minute?" Gordon asked. Sam motioned for them to sit down on her bed.
"What's up?" she asked as she sat down next to them.
"Can we call you when you go to Harvard?" Alan asked shyly. Sam looked at them in surprise.
"Of course you can call me," she answered quickly. "I'm still your big sister and I'll always make the time to talk to you unless I'm in class." Gordon and Alan both sighed in relief. "You know that any of us are here for either of you, don't you?"
"We just thought that with you and John and Scott being in college that you may forget about us and not want to talk to us anymore," answered Gordon.
"Oh, Gordy," she said softly. "We'll always talk to you. You two are our baby brothers and we love you both very much."
"Yeah, you little buggers, we all love you," said three more voices from the balcony. Scott, John, and Virgil could be seen outlined by the moonlight on Sam's balcony. Scott opened the door so that they could come in. They filed in and surrounded the three on the bed.
"The only thing that you'll have to take into consideration is the time differences," said Scott. "I'll be something like five hours ahead of Virgil, John, and Sam and maybe a couple of hours more on that for you two."
"Aside from that, we're all here for you and each other," added Virgil. He reached out and ruffled Gordon's hair as Scott pulled Alan into a headlock. John looked at Sam and winked. She winked back at him so that he knew that she was alright.
"Do you guys want to watch a movie in here or maybe we can go down to the theater and invite Tin-Tin?" asked Sam.
"Can we just hang out in here?" asked Alan. He wanted to have sometime with his siblings before they left the next day.
"Sure, Squirt," she answered. "Do you want to help me get some snacks and something for us to drink?"
"I want to help, too," added Gordon. He and Alan followed Sam out to the hallway. Sam paused and looked back at her other brothers.
"Can you guys get everything set up in here?" she asked. "Don't forget, the big chair is mine and John's. You all get the couch." She and her youngest two brothers hurried to the kitchen. Their grandma was still in there, puttering around.
"Hi, Grandma," Alan said as they entered the kitchen. "We just came down to get something to snack on while we watch a movie." To their surprise, Grandma pulled out a container of fresh baked cookies and handed them a couple of bags of chips and a small cooler with sodas and ice in it.
"Thanks, Grandma," Sam said as she gave her a hug. Her grandma handed her another container that had her favorite snack of celery and carrot sticks in it. When Sam saw what it was she kissed her on the top of her head.
"YUCK!" exclaimed Gordon as he saw the vegetables.
"Make sure those containers get back down here," she ordered as her grandchildren ran back up the stairs.
John was sitting in the oversized chair and Scott and Virgil were on the couch when they got back up to Sam's room. Scott had already put in a DVD and the previews were playing. Sam sat the cooler down between the chair and couch and sat her snack on the table next to her chair. When Alan showed everyone the container of cookies, the boys converged on him. Sam sat down in her chair and waited for everyone else to settle down.
John sat back down next to her and she snuggled close to him and relaxed. The rest of their brothers relaxed on the couch and began watching the movie. Half-way through it, Sam fell asleep. Gordon grabbed a blanket and gently covered her up. John nodded his thanks and held his twin closer to him. He fell asleep next as Scott put in another movie. Gordon and Alan held out until that movie was about a third of the way finished. Scott and Virgil finished the movie and then woke Gordon and Alan up so that they could go to their room. John woke up enough to stumble to Sam's couch and promptly fell asleep again. Virgil got Sam to wake up enough to get to her bed. Once she bumped against it, she fell onto it and curled up sound asleep. He covered her up while Scott straightened the sitting room and shut everything off. He and Virgil carried the containers and cooler back down to the kitchen and then went to their own bedrooms.
The next morning after breakfast they loaded the plane and told Gordon, Alan, Grandma, and their dad goodbye. Gordon and Alan stood on the pool deck and watched their oldest brothers and sister fly off. Each of them had an envelope in his hand. Sighing deeply, they each sat down in a lounge chair and opened the envelope addressed to them.
Gordon's read:
Hey Gordy! Good luck with your swimming this year. We're all behind you one hundred percent and we'll all be following everything that you do. No pressures but the Olympics are right around the corner and we'd love to see you get to that level.
Take care of Ally for us, please. Both of you need to look after each other and keep each other safe. Call us anytime you need to no matter what the time. We're here for you always.
Love,
Sam, John, Scott, and Virgil
Alan's read:
Hey little speed demon! Be careful with the motorcycle racing. Gordon let it slip that you were racing again. Knowing the fun we've had, it would be hypocritical to tell you to stop so we'll settle for just asking you to be careful. Keep us up to date how you're doing. Send us clips and the such for the both of you.
Keep an eye out on Gordy for us. Like we told him, both of you need to look after each other and keep each other safe. Call us anytime you need to no matter what the time. We're here for you always.
Love,
Sam, John, Scott, and Virgil
Gordon smiled as he finished his letter. He knew that no matter what, his older siblings were going to be there for him. He saw Alan wipe his eye and turned away to give him a moment.
"They are always going to think of us as the babies aren't they?" Alan asked. Gordon smiled at him and nodded.
"Always, Alan, always," he answered.
Hours later, the oldest Tracy children landed in Boston and stored the plane in a private hangar at a small private airport. Jeff had a SUV delivered to the airport for Sam and John. They all quickly loaded their stuff into the back of the SUV and drove to the townhouse to drop off Virgil, Sam, and John's stuff. Then they took Scott to Boston International Airport. They helped him take his luggage to the check-in counter and then waited with him until he was called to board his plane. He hugged his brothers and made them promise to look after Sam. He let go of them and pulled Sam into a tight hug.
"Take care, Sammie," he said softly as he kissed the top of her head. "No tears and I'll see you all at the holiday break. Call as often as you want and remember that I love you all." He let go of her and hurriedly turned to the line to board the plane. Sam, John, and Virgil stood by the window and watched until the plane took their brother away from them. Sam wiped at her eyes and sighed. John and Virgil each grabbed one of her hands and led her back to the SUV. John drove them back to their townhouse and unlocked the door and deactivated the alarm. Sam hung her purse on the hook behind the door that she had specifically put there for that reason. She closed the door and looked around her and John's new home. She and her brothers took their luggage up to their rooms.
Sam unpacked her clothes and the stuff that she had brought with her. Looking around her room, she began to place the pictures that she had brought with her. She took some of them downstairs and placed them around the living room and family room. Virgil had finished the painting and he and John hung it up above the fireplace. It was a painting in soft hues that depicted their island home.
"That's a beautiful painting," she told Virgil. "I knew that you could come up with something and that is perfect." She went back to the kitchen and looked out the window in the breakfast nook. Everything in the house was clean and dust-free. Jeff had hired a maid service to keep the house cleaned for Sam and John. Now that they were living there they would only need the maid to come once a week. The rest of the time the two of them could manage on their own. Sam looked in the fridge and the cabinets and then sat down to make a grocery list. John and Virgil were wandering around the house trying to find something to do.
"Do you two want to go get something to eat and then go to the grocery store with me?" she asked when they wandered into the kitchen.
"Sure," answered John. He looked over the list that she had made and added a few things that he wanted or needed. Virgil also took a turn and added a few more things. As soon as he was done, they locked up the house and drove to the nearest restaurant that they agreed on. Once they were seated, they began to loosen up and talk more than they had since dropping Scott off at the airport.
"I can't believe how much I miss him already," admitted Sam quietly. She blinked back the tears that she could feel forming. John squeezed her hand to help calm her. Her cell began to ring and she quickly pulled it out of her purse. Her face lit up when she saw the number.
"Hello?" she said.
"Hi, Gorgeous," answered the voice on the other end of the line. "Are you in Boston?"
"Yes, we got in today," she answered. "Where are you?"
"Well, don't look over your shoulder or anything," he replied. Sam looked over her shoulder and jumped up. She ran over to Alex and snuggled into the warm embrace of her boyfriend. He leaned down as she tilted her head up to kiss her.
"How did you know to come here?" she asked as she led him back to their table.
"I pulled up to your townhouse just as you were pulling away," he answered. "Hi, John, Virgil, how have things been?" He sat down next to Sam and gave his order to the waitress that suddenly appeared. She kept glancing at the Tracys as if she were trying to place them. Suddenly, she gasped. The four at the table looked up at her.
"Aren't you three of Jefferson Tracy's children?" she asked excitedly. Sam kicked John and Virgil under the table. When they looked up at her, she raised her eyebrow. They sat back and let her take the lead.
"Jefferson who?" Sam answered perplexed. "Ma'am, we are just some college kids settling in before school starts. I'm sorry if we resemble your friend's children but I can assure that we are not them." She took a sip of her iced tea and smirked as the waitress apologized and took their order back to the cook.
"Sis, you are brilliant," said Virgil. "I don't think that you'll have problems with people thinking that they recognize you." Sam giggled and leaned back in the booth. Alex wrapped his arm around her and relaxed with his girlfriend and her brothers.
"Yep, this is where I want to be," he thought to himself. John looked at him and gave a slight nod. "At least, John seems to be alright with me in Sam's life."
"So, Alex, are you staying in a dorm or an apartment?" asked Virgil. None of them were aware that their meal was about to be ruined thanks to the waitress.
"I have an apartment nearby," he answered.
"Why don't you just stay with us?" asked Sam. "You're more than welcome." John kicked her under the table.
"I wouldn't want to impose or make anyone uncomfortable," he replied as he noted Virgil and John's sudden tense posture. Sam glared at her brothers but didn't say anything.
"We need to leave guys," Virgil said suddenly. John looked up in the direction that Virgil was staring and paled. Alex glanced over his shoulder and sighed. Sam looked at them like they'd lost their minds.
"We haven't eaten yet," she said. Sudden movements by her arm made her look up at the person standing next to her.
"Miss Tracy?" the stranger asked. Sam looked up at him with a confused expression on her face.
"Excuse me?" she replied. "You must have the wrong person."
"Let's not debate this. I know that you are indeed Samantha Tracy and that the two young men across from you are your brothers, John and Virgil Tracy," said the stranger. "I would like to interview you and get some pictures." Sam immediately stood up and glared at the man.
"I do not give interviews or talk to those in the media," she hissed as she grabbed her purse and motioned for her brothers and Alex to follow her. The man made a grab for her arm only to find thin air. The Tracys and Alex paused long enough to hand the manager twenty dollars for the drinks that had been served. Sam glared at the waitress pointedly. They all jogged out to the SUV with the strange man following them. He wrote down their license plate number and waited for them to leave the parking lot.
"Do you need a ride somewhere?" asked John. Before Alex could answer, Sam spoke first.
"He's coming with us," she said as she got into the backseat. Alex climbed in beside her. John and Virgil shrugged their shoulders and got into the front seat with John driving. "Go to the grocery store before we go home. I can get something and cook at home since we didn't get to eat. Oh, and that goon is tailing us." John drove to the store and he and Virgil waited in the SUV while Sam and Alex went into the store. Thirty minutes later they came out pushing a cart. Virgil got out of the truck and quickly helped them unload the packages into the back of the SUV.
"We're not going to get rid of that guy so just head home, John," said Sam. As soon as they pulled up in front of their townhouse they all grabbed what they could carry and hurried into the house. John locked the SUV and armed the alarm on it as Virgil unlocked the house and deactivated the alarm. Once they were all inside, Sam shut the door and rearmed the alarm system. She closed the blinds on the front windows. While Alex, John, and Virgil put the groceries away, Sam began to cook a simple dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread. She also prepared a salad to serve as well. Alex and John set the table and laid out the silverware. Soon they were all sitting down at the table, eating their first home cooked meal in the new townhouse.
After dinner was over, Sam and Alex did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. As they hung up the dish towel, Alex pulled Sam to him.
"That was a pretty good dinner. Simple yet filling and delicious," he said as he nuzzled his face in her long hair. His hands started to roam as she leaned back into him.
"Get a room!" cried a voice from the hallway. Sam looked up just as Virgil and John headed downstairs to the family room. She glanced back at Alex.
"You heard them," he whispered. She grabbed his hand and led him upstairs to her room. He looked around appreciatively. Her room was cozy yet not overly feminine. He closed and locked the door behind them as she turned her stereo on and soft piano music filtered around her room as she turned down her bedclothes. He walked over to her and placed his hands on her hips and held her close as they swayed to the music. He leaned down and kissed her lips softly at first and then gradually getting harder and more passionate as they both responded to the other. She let him lead as he slowly began to undress her and closed her eyes as he began to kiss and explore her body. He had wanted to while they were at the boarding school but they never had the time. It was only fitting that he take the time now to love her like he had wanted to before. Her soft sighs encouraged him to continue. He gently picked her up and laid her on the bed. He left her side only to remove his own clothes. Sam opened a drawer on her nightstand and pulled out a box for him. He smiled at her intuitiveness. He lay down next to her and began kissing her again. She responded in turn and as he touched her, she begged him to make love to her. He sighed in contentment when she reached down and touched him. Her touch sent shivers down his spine as she helped him with his protection. He pulled the blankets over them and rolled on top of her.
"I love you, Sam," he whispered as he slowly began to rock against her. She ran her hands down his back and moaned in response to the pleasure that he was creating within her.
"I love you, too, Alex," she finally was able to respond. He held her close as they both reached the end. Alex kissed her as they both released simultaneously. He rolled off of her and pulled her into his embrace and both of them fell asleep. A couple of hours later, he woke up and looked around the room slightly confused until he felt her snuggle closer to him in her sleep. He grinned as he held her tighter and slowly drifted back to sleep. The next morning, he woke up to see her looking down at him.
"Good morning," she said as he pulled her down to kiss him. She ran her fingers through his hair as he positioned her on top of him. She felt his need and sighed as she felt her own desire. He paused long enough to protect them both and held her hips as she began to rock against him. He was the one to moan as the intense feelings coursed through his body. She leaned forward and kissed his jaw and then up to his lips. He decided that he wanted to hold her close so he flipped them over until he was on top and in control. When they were done, they both looked at each other and smiled.
"I definitely like waking up with you at my side," said Sam as she snuggled next to him and slowly drifted back to sleep. Alex loved how he felt and how much he loved her.
"Samantha, I can't wait to marry you," he said quietly. He didn't realize that she wasn't asleep yet.
"What about school and NASA?" she mumbled in response. She peeked one eye open and saw that he was serious. He looked down at her thoughtfully.
"A lot of people get married and still get through school and have careers," he answered. "I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be there when you achieve a goal or when you suffer a set back I want to be the one to comfort you." He got out of bed and pulled a little box out of his pants pocket. He pulled her up to a sitting position and then got down on one knee.
"Samantha Michelle Tracy, I have loved you from the first moment that I saw you and my love has only gotten stronger and more protective of you over the past three and a half years. I want to grow old with you and I want to have children with you. I want to wake up every morning and see your beautiful face next to me and realize how lucky I am to have found such a wonderful woman to love. I want to hold you close every night as we fall asleep and protect you. I want to be a part of your world and your family." He paused as he opened the little box and lifted out the ring from its velvet surroundings.
"Samantha, will you please marry me and be my life partner?" he asked quietly. Sam looked at him with tears in her eyes and reached down to him and hugged him to her.
"Yes, Alex, I will marry you," she cried as she whispered her answer. "I want to be your life partner now and forever." He slipped the ring on her finger and gently kissed her tears away as he crawled back into bed with her. They laid together just holding one another. After a little while, they went and took a shower together. When they had dressed they went downstairs for breakfast. Virgil and John were out in the backyard looking around. Sam went to the door and called out to them.
"Have you two had breakfast?" she asked as they approached her.
"Nope, we just got up a little bit ago," answered John. "Morning, Alex." Sam looked around at her brothers and Alex and sighed in a contented manner.
"Do you all want French toast?" she asked as she began to pull the ingredients to make breakfast for her family. Virgil got four juice glasses from the cabinet and poured everyone a glass of orange juice. John set the table as Sam brought the platter of French toast and sausage to the table. Alex grabbed a container of maple syrup and sat down next to Sam. Sam had just picked up her fork to serve herself when the sunlight hit her engagement ring and flashed brilliantly in the kitchen. John and Virgil both stared at her finger. Sam dropped her fork and hid her hand in her lap.
"What was that?" asked Virgil.
"What?" replied Sam nervously. Alex held her hand in his under the table.
"What was that on your hand?" repeated Virgil. Sam lifted her gaze to meet his and lifted her hand as well.
"Alex proposed to me this morning and I said yes," she answered quietly. Alex watched the reactions of her brothers. Virgil looked stunned but John got up and motioned Alex to follow him. They went down to the family room and closed the door.
"I'm only going to say this one time so make sure that you are paying attention, Alex," stated John in a restrained tone. "Sam is my best friend and sister, if you do anything to hurt her I will see to it that your life is hell. I want her to be happy and you had best do everything that you can to see to her happiness. Aside from the brotherly warning, I can't imagine a better husband for my sister. She loves you and evidently you love her or you'd have run away a long time ago. Let me be the first to welcome you to the family. Oh, before I forget, since you will obviously be living here with us make sure that you chip in on the groceries and utilities." He clapped Alex on the back and the two of them went back upstairs. Sam glanced from one to the other and finally blurted out.
"What the hell did you say to him?" she demanded. Alex sat down and hid his grin from her.
"Just guy stuff," John answered neutrally.
"What did he say to you?" she demanded.
"Nothing, Honey," he answered as he winked at Virgil and John. Thankfully Sam missed the wink. Sam jumped up and paced the room.
"Alex, I think we need to have a talk downstairs," said Virgil in a serious tone.
"Just don't hit me like John did," he pleaded. Sam turned to face her brothers and Alex with an angry expression on her face. Alex got up and wrapped his arms around her. "Calm down, Sam, everything is fine. We're just teasing you." She looked around at each of them as they smiled back at her.
"When are you going to tell Dad and have you decided on a date?" asked John as he smiled at his sister. Sam and Alex sat down and they all ate their breakfast. Sam swallowed nervously at the thought of telling their dad.
"I'm going to call and ask him for permission to marry Sam today," answered Alex. "As to the date, I vote for sooner rather than later." Sam's eyes widened at his remark.
"You really want to get married soon?" she asked quietly. "I always dreamt of a December wedding." Her expression turned to one of wistfulness as her thoughts turned to her mother. Everyone at the table noticed her sudden quietness. Alex wrapped his arm around her and held her close as she regained her composure.
"How about this December during our holiday break?" she suggested. "We'll have four weeks off from school. So we can enjoy the holidays and get married and have a honeymoon." She suddenly gasped as another thought came across her mind. "John, if it's alright with Alex will you be the best man? Virgil, I'd like for you to play the piano." John and Alex looked at each other and grinned.
"I'd be honored to be your best man," John said.
"We can go over the music you want and I'll be glad to play at your wedding," added Virgil. Sam went around the table and hugged both of her brothers. Full of nervous energy as Alex went to the office to call Jeff. Sam cleared the table and quickly did the dishes and wiped down the table. Virgil and John retreated to the family room to watch television.
"Sam, can you come in here a moment?" called Alex from the office. She joined him in front of the vidphone and smiled nervously at her father. He looked back at her and waited until she was settled.
"Alex has just asked for my permission to marry you," he began. "I have to know what you are planning on doing with your life if I allow this."
"I'm going to finish school and still apply to NASA with Alex's full agreement," she answered. "Daddy, you and Mom managed and I know that Alex and I can too. We love each other and remember that talk we had on my balcony?" Jeff nodded as he thought back to their conversation. "We both feel that way and we know that this is right. Please give him your blessing." She waited as Jeff looked from his daughter to Alex. Finally, he smiled at his daughter and future son-in-law.
"You have my blessing," he said at long last. "Have you discussed a date or location?"
"I'd like a December wedding on Tracy Island if possible," said Sam softly.
"I want Sam to be happy and if that is what she desires then that is what I want also," added Alex. Jeff's smile grew wider at Alex's remark.
"Spoken like a man in love," he quipped. "Sam, you know that Tracy Island is your home and if that is where you want to get married then we'll make it happen. Start making your plans and I can guess that this will be a small wedding."
"Yes, Daddy. Just us and Alex's family," said Sam. "John said that he'll be the best man and I'd like Tin-Tin to be my Maid of Honor. Virgil said that he'd play the piano."
"Hold that thought. Scott is coming through so let's patch all of us together," Jeff said just as Grandma and the Terrible Two came into the office. "Sam, has something that she wants you to know." Sam looked around and realized that John and Virgil were next to her and Alex. She saw her grandma and brothers next to her dad.
"What's up, Sam?" asked Scott.
"Alex asked me to marry him and I said yes," she answered. "We're getting married during our holiday break on Tracy Island." She gripped Alex's hand tightly in her own.
"Congratulations!" cried Gordon and Alan. They both liked Alex and knew that he loved their sister. Grandma smiled knowingly at her only granddaughter.
"You better take care of her," replied Scott with a grin on his face.
"I will. I promise all of you right here and now that I will take great care of Sam," Alex replied seriously. He turned to her and gently kissed her.
"I can't wait until you are Mrs. Samantha Murphy," he whispered softly. The Tracy family congratulated them and began to hang up.
"You'll make a beautiful bride, Samantha," said her dad as he told them goodbye. Sam looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"Thank you, Daddy," she said as they hung up. She turned to see that her brothers had left the office. Alex pulled her down onto his lap and began to kiss her.
"The hard part is over," he said as she kissed him back. "Now you and I have a date with a jeweler as soon as we tell my parents." He put his call through and broke the happy news to his parents with Sam by his side. He gave them the date and location.
"My family would be glad to have you fly back to the island with us," offered Sam. "After the wedding, we can fly you back to San Diego and I'll pay for your airfare back to Indiana. Alex and I haven't picked out our honeymoon destination so I can't offer to fly you home."
"That's alright, Sam," said Alex's mom. "We just want our son to be happy and evidently, you do make him happy. Bye, Alex and call me soon."
"I will," he replied as he hung up. He took Sam's hand and led her back upstairs to her room. He grabbed his wallet and keys to his apartment.
"Do you mind if I stay here with you?" he asked as he looked around the room. Sam stood up and looked at him.
"I'd prefer it if you did," she answered. "Why do you think that I got a king sized bed? I wanted to wake up with you every morning. I love you so much, Alex." She tilted her head back as he leaned down to kiss her.
"Let's go pick out our wedding bands," said Alex. "Cus if we keep this up, the only place we're going to go is back to bed where I can make love to my beautiful fiancé." Sam looked at him mischievously.
"Maybe that isn't such a bad idea," she remarked as she trailed her fingers down to the front of his jeans. He groaned as she cupped her hand on the front of him. His hands began to touch her breasts and she leaned into him. She left his side long enough to close and lock her bedroom door and turn on her stereo. She focused all of her attention on satisfying her future husband and he sighed in contentment as his head rolled against the headrest of her oversized chair. Sam stood up and grinned down at him and was rewarded with a sleepy smile. He held his hand out to her and gently pulled her down in the chair next to him.
"You are wonderful but I really want us to go pick out our rings," he said as he nuzzled his face in her hair. She stood up and helped him stand. He quickly redressed and held her hand as they went back downstairs. John and Virgil had left a note letting them know that they went out for awhile. Sam grabbed her car keys and tossed them to Alex.
"You can drive," she said. "Dad bought us a car and SUV to use while we're here." She armed the alarm and locked the house. Alex held the car door open for her and waited until she was seated and closed it for her. He drove them to a jeweler and they debated over what rings they wanted. Finally, they settled on a design and ordered them complete with inscriptions and the date that they had chosen. They were to be married on December 20th of that year. They laughed as he paid for the rings and was given a pick up date. Sam treated him to a late lunch out and then they went to see a movie. Later that afternoon they went to his apartment and got his clothes and belongings. He had already told his parents to let the apartment go that he would be staying with Sam and John.
Back at the townhouse, Sam cleared some space for Alex to put his clothes away and gave him some cabinet space in her bathroom. Before long her room definitely looked like their room. He went downstairs to the family room while Sam fixed dinner for her family. Together they ate dinner at the kitchen table and chatted about Sam and Alex's wedding.
The next week went by fast and they celebrated Virgil's eighteenth birthday. A couple of days later, he flew the plane to New York with directions to call them when he got there. The house felt a bit empty without Virgil there but soon school started and Sam, John, and Alex were all immersed in their studies. In their free-time they went out to the movies and John started dating a fellow student in one of his classes. Soon, she was joining them on dates. In October, Sam and John celebrated their nineteenth birthday. Gordon, Alan, Virgil, and Scott all called to wish them a happy birthday and to let them know what was going on in their part of the world. Gordon had been selected for the Olympic swim team. Alan was still racing and winning. Virgil was contemplating finishing school in Boston with Jeff's permission. Scott was doing well in his studies at Oxford. They were all excited about the upcoming wedding and holidays so that they could see each other again.
In mid-December, Virgil flew down to Boston and picked Sam, Alex, John, and Scott up at the little airport. He and Scott flew the plane to Indiana and they picked up Alex's parents. John and Sam flew to Colorado Springs and picked up Gordon and Alan. Gordon and Scott took over and flew the plane back to Tracy Island where Jeff was waiting to see his children again. He had the guest rooms ready for Alex's parents and Alex. Though he suspected that Sam would want Alex to stay with her. The plane landed and everyone got off and unloaded the various pieces of luggage. Sam and Alex held hands as they approached Jeff. Sam let go of Alex's hand and grabbed her dad in a tight hug.
"Thanks, Daddy," she whispered as he hugged her back. Alex walked up next to her and put his hand on her shoulder. She turned to him and smiled. She took her dad's hand and Alex's hand and together they walked down the path to the house. Alex's parents were impressed with the house and the island. Kyrano escorted them to the guest room.
"Alex will be staying with me," said Sam. Kyrano nodded and made sure to put Alex's luggage in Sam's room.
A few days later, the families gathered on the beach. Jeff had flown in a friend that was also a minister to oversee the ceremony. Sam wore her mother's wedding gown with the veil. Alex stood next to her in a tuxedo and John was next to him. Tin-Tin was in a light blue gown next to Sam. Soft piano music played from a remote system that Virgil had hooked up. He held the remote in his hand and stopped and started the music when needed. He didn't want to miss his only sister's wedding. Jeff had walked her down the aisle and Grandma had constantly wiped her eyes.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," said the minister. "You may kiss the bride." Alex gently lifted the veil and kissed his wife tenderly and with as much love as he could possibly give her. They turned back to face their family and both smiled happily as they received the well wishes. They all headed back to the house. Sam whispered something to Virgil and he nodded and grinned in response. A slow song began to play and Sam and Alex danced together on the pool deck. Half way through the song Tin-Tin and Alan joined in followed by Alex's parents and then Grandma danced with the rest of the boys and Jeff. A new song began and Sam went to her dad.
"Daddy, dance with me?" she asked. As the music played Jeff danced with his daughter. Sam looked up at him and a lone tear fell from her eye.
"She's watching us and making sure we're alright," she whispered. Jeff swallowed hard and nodded.
"I love you, Samantha," he said. "You have made me a proud father."
"You are the best dad I could ever have wanted," she said as he hugged her to him. A tap on his shoulder drew his attention to John.
"I'd like to dance with my sister," he stated. Song after song she danced with each of her brothers until Alex took her hand.
"It's my turn to dance with my wife one more time," he said as he kissed her again and held her close. "How are you feeling Mrs. Samantha Murphy?"
"Very happy and in love," she answered back as Grandma called them to the tables where dinner was being served. After dinner, Sam changed into a simple dress and carefully hung her mother's gown up in her room. The men all changed out of their tuxedos and into more comfortable clothes. Sam and Alex cut the cake and a toast was made by John, Tin-Tin, and Jeff. Alex noticed that Sam was getting tired and made their excuses to retire to their rooms. Gordon and Alan whistled until Scott thumped them on the back of the head.
"Thanks, Scott," said Sam as she grinned at her big brother. She and Alex went upstairs to the balcony and into Sam's room. She shut and locked the door behind them and closed the windows and all of the curtains including the one on the door. Alex picked her up and carried her to her bed. He gently undressed her and explored her body anew since this was the first time for them as husband and wife. She helped him undress and kissed him with as much passion as he was showing her. They made love to each other and then fell asleep only to wake up later and start again. They finally fell in a deep sleep holding on to each other.
The next morning Alex woke up first and looked at Sam.
"Good morning, Mrs. Murphy," he whispered as he began to kiss her. She smiled up at him and moaned when he began to make love to her again.
"That is definitely a great way to wake up," she said as he held her close to him. "I rather like being married to you already." She kissed him and got out of bed. Grabbing an outfit and some underclothes she went to take a shower. Alex got up and followed her. Sometime later, they came out of the bathroom and headed down to the kitchen to get something to eat. Grandma shooed them out to the pool deck and had their food served out there.
Later that day, Jeff flew Alex's parents back to San Diego. When he got home he called Sam and Alex to his office.
"I have something to show you," he said as they followed him down a hall on the third floor. On the opposite side of the house he opened a door and let them through.
"This is your apartment," he stated as they looked around. It was a small apartment set away from everyone but still close by to interact. The view from this part of the house was just as spectacular as the one from her old room. There were two bedrooms each with a bathroom, a living room, and a kitchenette. Sam looked around at her new home on the island.
"Thank you Mr. Tracy," said Alex.
"You're family now and I think that we can let you get by with calling me Dad or Jeff," he answered. Sam embraced her dad and held him close.
"Thank you for thinking of us," she said as she let go and walked around her new apartment. A knock on the door and her brothers began bringing in her stuff from her room. Soon, the little apartment was finished and Sam walked back to her old room and looked around. John walked up behind her.
"Growing up not apart," he whispered softly. Sam choked back her tears and nodded. He put his hand on her shoulder and then four more hands joined his as their brothers came into her room.
"Always bonded and never apart," said six voices at once as Alex and Jeff watched the siblings.
"Thank you, for giving me permission to marry Samantha," said Alex. "She means everything to me and that is the reason why. She is one-sixth of a whole that is without a doubt one of the closest group of siblings that I have ever seen. Yet, they have included me as if I was one of them."
"You are one of them now, Alex," said Jeff. "You married their sister and that draws you into the group. Just remember, though, that if you hurt her you are not going to come out feeling too well. There are six of us, seven if you count my mom that will not take kindly to it."
"To hurt Sam would be worse than hurting myself," he responded as his face lit up and Sam walked towards him. "She's everything to me." She walked into his outstretched arms and sighed. "Are you about ready to get packed so that we can go on our honeymoon or would you rather stay here?"
"You wouldn't mind staying here with my family around?" she asked.
"I want you to be happy and I'm happy wherever you're at," he answered. "There is plenty for you to show me around here and you're more comfortable."
"I'd love to stay here with you and my family," she said.
"John, we won't need the plane ride to the mainland after all," Alex said as he winked at John. "Her majesty has spoken." His new brother-in-laws laughed at his comment and the look that Sam gave him.
"Her majesty?" she retorted. "I'll give you, her majesty, Alexander Murphy."
"What will you give me, Mrs. Alexander Murphy?" he asked. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
"Don't you ever forget who I am," she teased. Jeff watched and knew that his daughter and new son-in-law would have the marriage that he and Lucy had shared for such a short while. Grandma called them all down to dinner and with a last glance around her childhood room, Sam joined her husband and brothers and father.
A week later, they all flew back to Colorado Springs and dropped Gordon and Alan off. From there they flew back to Boston and saw Scott off. Virgil, Sam, Alex, and John went back to the townhouse. Virgil had decided to finish out his last semester of high school in Boston. He stayed with John and Sam and Alex. They all settled in to a normal routine as the weeks went by. Sam made breakfast for her family and made sure that Virgil got to school. She and John breezed through their courses and Alex was right behind them. Gordon celebrated his sixteenth birthday and Alan celebrated his fifteenth. They called everyone to thank them for the gifts that they had received. Scott turned twenty-one in April he too called and thanked everyone for the gifts and cards.
At the end of May, the whole family flew to Boston to celebrate Virgil's high school graduation. He had made third in his class. Scott was happy to see his siblings and brother-in-law, he had missed them despite his studies and dating habits in England. John had dated off and on but was still more interested in getting through school. Virgil never would tell anyone why he had transferred schools with one semester to go.
After the ceremony, Jeff flew Gordon, Alan, Grandma, and Tin-Tin back to the island. Scott, Virgil, Sam, Alex, and John flew back in the prop plane. Alex surprised them when he told them that he'd earned his pilot's license. He had even kept it from Sam.
Back on the island, they all settled into a routine. Jeff included Alex in on the plans for IR and Alex was quick to volunteer to be a part of it. Scott, Virgil, John, Sam, and Alex all began training on the simulator and tested out on the various TBs. Jeff's vision of a rescue organization was becoming a reality and a family business.
A couple of times during the summer, Sam and Alex went to New York to conduct business for Jeff at Tracy Enterprises. They used that time as alone time and a chance to do some sightseeing together.
At the end of the summer, everyone scattered again. Gordon and Alan went back to Colorado Springs. Virgil had been accepted to the Denver School of Advanced Technology. John, Sam, and Alex went back to Boston and Scott went back to Oxford.