Have a Merry Christmas all.
Thunderbird 2 landed on the mainland out of sight from the town and the large family group made their way to the old church. They walked in, and some heads in the pews turned slowly to watch them as they took their seats. From the pew across from the boys, a couple of girls gazed across and whispered to each other, Virgil and John glanced back at them.
"John, you're dating Ridley," Virgil raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you flirting then?"
Virgil stretched out. "I'm a free agent, I can flirt with whoever I want."
Kayo rolled her eyes. "You boys and your habits."
"And you're dating our brother," Gordon looked up from the programme.
"And you're dating our agent," Scott snapped back.
"Touche," Gordon watched the priest step forward.
"Guests, I have some bad news. Our pianist, Tom, broke his wrist, and has had to cancel tonight."
Someone spoke up. "So who's going to play tonight then?"
Scott nudged Virgil. "Go on."
Virgil paled ever so slightly. "What? I'm not that good."
Grandma tutted. "Son, you're a wonderful pianist, now get up there."
Virgil sighed as he stood up, and cleared his throat. "Excuse me? Do you need a pianist?"
"Please come up?"
Virgil walked up to the podium and ran a hand through his hair. "Virgil Tracy."
"Tracy? I knew your father. Thank you for volunteering."
Virgil rubbed his hands together nervously as he heard murmurs behind him as he moved over to the organ. "Let's hope I'm not too rusty."
The priest raised his hands for the opening carol to begin and a young woman stood forward from the choir to begin the verse to 'Once in Royal David's City.' Virgil watched her with silent admiration as her voice echoed around the church, and from the audience, Scott looked between the girl and his brother with a smirk before he looked down at the lyric book as the carol began properly.
The mass continued smoothly and it wasn't long before they hit the final carol which to Virgil's relief was 'Oh Come all ye Faithful.' He began to play the introduction and looked over at his family who were all grinning. The girl who had sung the solo at the start of the service smiled at him causing him to slip on a note, and he repositioned his foot on the pedal quickly biting his lip in concentration. Kayo looked at the girl thoughtfully and squeezed Scott's waist, he looked down at her and followed her gaze to the girl in the choir, then with a silent chuckle, he winked at Virgil who was looking over at them with confusion.
"Thank you all for coming and have a wonderful Christmas, go with good health."
Grandma rose with the boys, Kayo and Brains and Virgil stretched before leaving the piano stool but not before deciding to congratulate the girl.
"That was a lovely solo."
The girl smiled. "I'm Riki, but my friends call me Rik for short."
"Nice to meet you, Riki. I'm Virgil."
"Thanks for playing for me."
Virgil laughed. "My pleasure. I was probably just as nervous as you, or more."
Riki smiled back. "I doubt it, you knew what you doing."
Scott and Kayo approached them and Scott smiled. "Well done, Virgil."
Kayo gave Virgil a hug. "You were wonderful."
Virgil smiled and hugged her back. "Thanks, Kayo."
Riki smiled at Scott who was looking at Kayo. "Your friend is a good pianist."
"Ah, he's my brother," Scott grinned as Kayo let go of the black-haired man.
"Don't make me blush, Scott," Virgil rolled his eyes as Kayo wrapped her arms around Scott again.
"Oh, so you're not with him?" Riki asked Kayo bashfully.
"Ha! No, I'm not with him, I'm with Scott. Virgil is a free agent," she smirked. "I'm Kayo by the way."
"Pleased to meet you. Have you ever come to a mass before?"
Scott shook his head. "Not for a while, we've been busy."
"We've? How many are you?"
"Me, Kayo and Virgil. Then there's Gordon, Alan and John over there with our Grandma, and friend Brains."
"Brains?"
"Hiram Hackenbacker, he's our adopted brother."
"A bit like me," Kayo smiled.
"Wow, what a group," Riki raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Gordon called over. "Guys? We're heading home soon for our Christmas party!"
Virgil closed his eyes sorrowfully. "Sorry, we've got to head back. It was lovely to meet you, and to accompany you on the piano."
Riki nodded back. "It was lovely to meet you too. I've got to get home myself."
"Come on Kayo, let's join the others," Scott tugged lightly at her arm.
"Alright Scott," Kayo kissed him then walked back over to the rest of the family leaving Virgil with Riki.
"You have a great voice, Riki. I hope you plan to pursue something in music."
"That's my exact plan. I study music at uni," Riki smiled up at him. "Forgive me for saying this but, you don't look like a pianist."
Virgil laughed. "Pretty good secret right?"
"Why do you keep it secret?"
"Virgil? Come on!" Gordon yelled then was cut off by his Grandma covering his mouth.
"Urgh, I better go," Virgil said sorrowfully.
Riki sighed with a nod. "Thanks for helping us out today. That was really nice of you."
"My pleasure. Well, maybe we'll do this again sometime," Virgil smiled at her again and leaned in to kiss her cheek with a smile, then walked back over to his family.
They left the church behind and made their way back to Thunderbird 2 in two cars.
During the flight, Gordon teased Virgil at the controls over what had happened at the mass.
"I'm…so in love with you… Riki," Gordon sang lovingly.
"Gordon, you sing that one more time and I'll lock you in the pod, then drop you into the sea."
Grandma chuckled. "You boys. Leave Virgil alone."
Virgil blushed. "I just wanted to be nice."
"Yeah right," Alan leaned against the back of Gordon's chair.
"I think it's sweet," Brains said quietly.
"I don't even think it'll go anywhere," Virgil sighed quietly and looked back at Scott.
"It's up to you Virg, if you want it to be love, make it love. Now step on it, we want to have this party tonight right?"
"Yeah, full speed bro," Kayo grinned.
Virgil rolled his eyes. "Alright alright. Going to full speed now."
The island came into sight and Thunderbird 2 dived down towards the runway. Grandma smiled at her grandson with pride as he powered the engines down and drove the craft back into her hanger before coming to a stop.
"Well done, son."
"I do this every day, Grandma."
"And you do it every day with the same amount of grace."
Gordon grinned. "Aww, Virgie."
"Don't call me Virgie. That makes me sound like some sort of plush toy."
Alan stood up. "Well, sorry to break up the dressing-up tradition, but I'm thinking of turning up in my pyjamas."
"I'm sure you won't be the only one," Scott opened the door of the craft and helped Grandma out.
"Pyjama party then?" Gordon shrugged.
"FAB," Alan grinned as he followed Gordon out.
John, who had remained rather quiet finally spoke. "I should go back to Thunderbird 5."
"Nonsense John, you're not missing the party for anything okay?" Alan frowned. "You always miss the Christmas gathering."
"Monitoring is a full-time job."
"Come on!"
"Fine."
"Great. Now, can we leave Thunderbird 2 to power down please?" Virgil stood up.
"Alright Virgil, we're going."
Gordon followed the others out of the craft and Virgil shut down the engines. He then left his bird to find Scott waiting for him by the stairs.
"You ok Virgil?" Scott smiled as he pushed Kayo up the stairs with a quick prompt.
"I'll see you in the lounge, Scott," Kayo smiled and left the hangar.
"I'm fine, Scott."
"Not too heartbroken?"
Virgil turned around sharply from the hatch. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean Riki, you two were getting on really well."
"It doesn't matter. It was a passing thing. So now, let's celebrate Christmas."
Scott caught his arm. "Virgil, I know you better than the others. If you liked her, then go for it."
Virgil rolled his eyes. "Yeah. I'll think about it. Come on."
The two eldest entered the lounge and smiled at Alan and Gordon who were in their Christmas-themed pyjamas, Kayo had changed into an elf outfit and John was sitting reading next to Brains. Virgil squeezed Scott's shoulder then walked over to the piano pulling off his bowtie as he reached his instrument.
"Private carol concert guys?"
"Yes!" Alan squeaked and grabbed his glass of coke off the table.
Scott went over to join Virgil at the piano and sat down on the stool beside him. "I thought you might want a pair of extra hands?"
Virgil smiled. "Can we swap then? I've played enough tonight."
"If we must," Scott stood up and repositioned himself down in Virgil's place on the stool.
"SLADE!" Gordon called out from where he was perched on the stairs.
"We'll start with something more traditional I think. What about, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas?"
"Let's do it," Kayo leaned forward on the piano lid.
Scott nodded to Virgil to start playing chords to the song, then joined in on the top melody as everyone began to sing along to the piano. Kayo aimed her singing at Scott and he winked back at her before glancing down at the keys again. Grandma sat on the sofa tapping her fingers against her mug of hot chocolate and smiled at the two eldest playing the piano, then she looked around at John who was sorting out presents.
"John, dear? Are you alright?"
John sat back on the sofa. "Yeah, I'm fine Grandma. I don't really like big events."
Grandma glanced over at the piano where Gordon and Alan were leaning on their brother's shoulders and Kayo was laughing as she balanced herself on the top of the piano lid.
"It's just a party, John."
"Yes, I know."
"Just go and have a sing John, you sounded lovely at the church."
Gordon hushed the group suddenly. "Guys, I forgot. It's Christmas Day!"
Virgil and Scott joined forces at the piano and played a long glissando from the top to the bottom of the piano keys in celebration.
"Merry Christmas!" Kayo jumped down from the lid and held a twig of mistletoe above Scott's head before he pulled her onto his lap, "Scott!"
Scott kissed her hard. "Merry Christmas, darling."
Alan made a face. "Eww."
"Grow up," Scott smiled at him as he balanced Kayo on his knee and began playing the piano again.
Gordon sulked slightly. "I wish Penny could've come over. She only listened to the mass."
Virgil smiled sympathetically. "Sorry Gordo, at least you can see her on missions."
"Yeah, I guess that's true."
Grandma stood up. "Well, Merry Christmas everybody."
"Merry Christmas!" Four voices shouted.
"Happy Christmas," John smiled and Brains nodded.
Virgil began to play 'We wish you a merry Christmas' on the piano and got everyone singing again.
