His Air Force and NASA days were behind him.
Once Lucy had informed him that they were expecting a third Jeff had quit. He'd missed so much of Scott and John through moon missions, and since this addition was completely unplanned and would leave his wife alone with three very small children, he'd taken the plunge, turning the business model they had been talking about since they had fallen pregnant the first time.
Jeff had never regretted the decision. Only a year old, the business was already growing so fast that he was going to have to employ more staff.
The other thing he didn't regret leaving behind were the 5am starts. He'd envisioned not getting up until 8am – an unheard-of luxury.
Of course, with an insomniac almost-four-year-old, a 17-month and a 7-month-old, that 8am lie-in was an absolute pipedream.
Scott was very good, able to keep himself quietly occupied until his parents were ready to get up or his younger brothers decided they wanted company, and as John and now Virgil had gotten older, Scott was often the first to reach them and comfort them. It might not be that 8am start he had always wanted, but it beat getting up at 3-4-5am to see to a crying baby.
Of course, today was different.
Jeff cracked an eye and peered at the alarm clock on the bedside table.
4:38am
He stifled a sigh. The muffled thump that had woken him told him it wouldn't be long before they were woken themselves. Sure enough, their bedroom door was slowly pushed open and Jeff fought to keep a straight face as footsteps approached.
A sudden breath across his face almost made him flinch, but the military training was still fresh and he held firm.
'Daddy. Daddy? Daddy, are you awake?'
Scott's whisper was loud in the quiet, and Jeff held his breath as a small hand tapped his cheek.
'Daddy?'
Smiling to himself, Jeff opened an eye to find Scott so close to his face that he really couldn't see anything else. This time he did flinch slightly.
'Scotty? What's wrong? Why are you up so early?'
'It's my birfday Daddy. Is it time to get up yet?'
'Sure we can, my little man. But we have to be quiet so Momma can sleep a little more, ok?'
'Ok, Daddy.'
'Go get something on your feet, Scott.'
He watched as his eldest padded away before turning over and pulling Lucy into a hug. She responded by pushing him away.
'G'way. Too early.'
'The birthday boy doesn't think so.'
'Your boy, you deal wif 'im.'
And with that Lucy turned back over, a soft snore telling Jeff she'd dropped back off to sleep immediately. He snorted. Scott had done the same for his third birthday too, and while he really didn't want to get up at stupid-o-clock, this was a time that would be just him and his Scotty and he relished it. Jeff quietly dressed and left, knowing Scott would be waiting.
He made himself a coffee and Scott a cocoa, they ate two slices of toast before Jeff decided the time was right.
There had been a fresh snowfall overnight, and as he helped Scott into his rubber boots – wellies Lucy called them – he contemplated the day they had planned. Nothing too fancy, just their family, his parents and, despite the snow, ice cream. But now, at 5:30am, this was Scott and his time.
Scott grinned up at his dad while his scarf was fastened and his gloves attached securely, and he happily took his Dad's proffered hand. They trouped out into the snow, heading for the back of the farm and the small hillock.
Their breath hung around them as they walked, Scott for once quiet as he clung to Jeff's hand, huffing his breath to create more steam while Jeff just grinned. It took them a little over half an hour to walk across the farm to the hill.
It was a hike he'd done last year, when it was Scott's third birthday and John had been ill all night. Lucy had asked him to take the eldest out for a break since had been getting upset. They had walked until Scott was too tired to walk anymore – and damn, didn't his son just have boundless energy despite being up all night – and then Jeff had carried him on his shoulders until the hill. And they had sat there and watched the sun rise.
Scott had asked to watch the sun rise last night, and here they were. They sat as the air changed colours from the predawn blue tinged with peach through pinks and golds until the air was crystal blue and clear, watching in silence.
Jeff glanced down at his boy. Scott was enraptured by the sky as always, and as a lone bird flew across the sky in the distance he watched as Scott's eyes followed it until it was completely out of sight. Jeff put an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in close.
'Happy birthday, Scott.'
Scott grinned at him, and they sat there for a couple more minutes.
'Shall we make our way home and see what your brothers are up to?'
'Sure thing, Daddy.'
The walk back was slightly longer and by the time they arrived home it was gone seven and everyone was up, dressed and fed. There were hot drinks waiting for them and as Jeff sat with Lucy they watched as John held out a small, wrapped parcel to Scott.
Scott grinned and accepted the blue-wrapped gift. He looked to his parents, who both nodded, and said his thanks as he tore the paper off. There was a book about planes and Scott's eyes lit up as he slid of the chair and pulled his brother into a quick hug before sitting down next to Virgil to show him.
As the seven-month-old lay gurgling at his big brother, Scott showed him the pictures and made-up words to explain what was going on. John climbed onto Lucy's lap and sat watching his two brothers with his parents.
Suddenly Scott stopped talking, put the book to one side and leaned over Virgil. His brother responded by reaching up with both hands, and Scott took those hands and held them while moving them out of his eyesight.
He blew a gentle raspberry on Virgil's right hand which caused Virgil to laugh, before turning to his parents to announce:
'This is my bestest birfday ever!'
Scott was grinning from ear to ear, and Jeff and Lucy couldn't help but reciprocate.
'Why's that, Scott?'
'Virgie's eyes are all brown! No blue!'
They all came over to look, causing Virgil to blink as he was suddenly crowded by four faces, but he took it in his stride and reached out for his Dad. Jeff obliged his baby and picked him up, carrying him to the lounge while everyone else followed.
He checked out Virgil's eyes and yes, Scott was right, there was no trace of blue left. They were a light golden brown, and as Lucy looked she commented that they would probably turn darker still. They sat, Virgil falling asleep in the crook of Jeff's arm as Scott and John looked through the new book and Lucy wormed her way under his free arm.
Jeff yawned. Scott might like getting up early and going out, but Jeff was glad this was a once-a-year thing. With two warm bodies pressed against him and the fire roaring in the grate, Jeff soon dropped off to the sounds of Scott talking about planes with John.
