'I think, dear, that you and my son have some talking to do,' Ruth said, standing up, bestowing a kiss on Kaya's forehead. She pulled Alan up and ushered the couple out while Jeff stood aside to let them out. His mother put a hand on his arm and leaned up to kiss his cheek. 'Go easy on the girl,' she murmured and left, pulling the door closed.
Jeff smiled at his Ma. She was the wisest person he knew – Brains included – and he appreciated that she hadn't torn him down a strip. Although heaven knew he deserved it. Once the door was closed he took the seat Alan had been sitting in.
There was quiet. For once in his life the great Jeff Tracy was at a loss.
'He proposed, you know.' It was very quietly said and Jeff almost missed it. 'He came out to see me after you talked to him and explained everything.' Jeff cringed at the memory. 'Scott got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.' Jeff couldn't meet her eyes.
'I turned him down.' That made Jeff sit up. Kaya wasn't looking at him, she wasn't looking at anything, lost in the memory. 'I couldn't take him away from his job, his family. They are Scott's life.' She tried, and failed, to stifle a sob.
'I felt so bad, feel so bad. Scott gave me the ring anyway. He, he said there would never be anyone else so I might as well have it.' Kaya fingered the ring, twirling it around. She'd put it on her ring finger, sure in her own mind that there wouldn't be anyone else for her either. 'And then he kissed me and left. I didn't hear from anyone until Virgil called.'
Jeff nodded to himself. So typical of his son, Scott hadn't told anyone at home what had happened. And hearing it just solidified in his mind just how much he had let him, them both, down. He got up and squatted in front of his son's girlfriend, holding her hands, squeezing gently until Kaya looked at him.
'I am so, so sorry. I can never, ever apologise enough for what I did to you and Scott.' Jeff knew that there were unshed tears in his eyes, and he was gratified when Kaya smiled softly at him and squeezed back. 'I was being unreasonable. I know that now. Scott – Scott tried to reason with me, but I – I was afraid.'
Saying it out loud now made Jeff realise how stupid he had been.
'I was afraid that if I let someone else on the island then our security would be compromised. That it would mean the beginning of the end. I couldn't see any further than that.' Now that he had started, Jeff found he couldn't stop. 'I knew that you'd been cleared. Penny – Lady Penelope – is very thorough, and she was most complimentary about you. And, of course, you singlehandedly saved my son's life, then enriched it. I have never seen Scott so happy,' he said, his voice cracking.
Suddenly Jeff found himself now ensconced in a hug. Kaya had slid to the floor and pulled him into a hug. He lost himself in her embrace, everything whirling around in his head.
'I'd changed my mind, you know. I saw how miserable he was, and then Alan asked about marrying Tin-Tin and I was beginning to realise how much I was being such an ass.' He was gratified with a very small huff. 'I just didn't get a chance to tell him before Alan's announcement, and then he was too angry to listen to me. Understandable, of course, but I wish I could have told him before…before all of this. And this just brought home to me just what an awful father I was being.'
Kaya helped Jeff to stand. 'I knew you hadn't been malicious in doing what you did. And I understand. You run the most amazing organisation in the world, of course security is going to be a major concern. But I love Scott too much to ever to that to Scott, let alone you.'
Jeff sighed. 'I know that. I just couldn't see past my own selfish fears. I don't deserve to have you as a daughter, and I hope that you will reconsider Scott's offer. My son is a lucky man.' Kaya smiled at him, and she pulled him in for another hug.
'That means a lot to me, Jeff. Come on, let's go and sit with him.' And she threaded her arm through Scott's father's and they left the room.
Alan and Tin-Tin had sat talking in the corner, one quietly reassuring the other. Virgil had taken the seat at Scott's head and was holding his hand, and John and Gordon were chatting at the foot of the bed. Ruth was sitting beside Virgil.
Ruth's eyes lit up when she saw the pair come out of the room together. Some good had come of the enforced waiting. Now they just had to wake up Scott.