27

Wow the feedback for the last chapter was amazing thank you so much for your support, I am so glad you enjoyed it. I think its my favourite chapter to date. Fingers crossed I can do it justice with this follow up!

They made it back to Kanas with no issues arriving in the late afternoon. As they stretched out tired limbs on the driveway Jeff marvelled at the sight of his home around him, he never thought he would see it again. All of a sudden there was the bang of the kitchen door and grandma rushed onto the porch. "Jeff!"

She stumbled down the steps in her haste as Jeff hobbled as fast as he could in case she fell. They met in a bone crushing hug, grandma sobbing into his shoulder. "Don't you ever scare me like that again Jefferson Tracy!"

"I won't, I promise. God; mom! I'm so sorry." Jeff tried not to cry in her arms. The boys watched on happy to see their grandma fussing over their dad. "Come on let's get you inside you must be tired. Come on boys you too."

"It's ok Grandma, get lag hasn't got to us yet, I think we'll head to the barn for a bit right guys?" Scott hoped they would get the hint that he thought their dad and grandma needed space to talk.

"Right" said Virgil. "We never did finish that game of pool after all".

"Alright; well make sure your in for dinner ok?" their grandma called over her shoulder steering Jeff towards the house. She still hadn't let him go like she was worried he'd run away.

"Will do" Replied Alan.

The boys left their luggage in the car, they could get it later. They headed into the barn and up the steps to the loft which was their space. Mom and dad had kitted it out for them when Virgil and John were in their teens. It was a den where the eldest could hang out away from the younger ones until they all came of an age where they could enjoy it together. They still used it on occasion now. The light came in through a shuttered window at either end, the light shafting through the main living space. Dust motes spiraled lazily in the sun-lit streaks. There were two well worn brown leather sofas, a pool table and the latest game console. It was sparsely decorated with a few posters of their favourite movies and bands. The floor consisted of worn wooden slats and an worn silver rug. It was cosy in its own rustic way and even had a small heater for the winter. There was also a fridge which was great if they remembered to actually keep it stocked and clean it. Some of the things that had been left in it grew far better than any of their science projects. There was also a small basic kitchenette area with a halogen oven and cupboards. Scott immediately raided the candy stash. He needed a sugar rush badly he could feel he was suddenly lagging. Gordon flopped down horizontally on a sofa before Virgil ditched some coke cans on the wooden coffee table and sat on his legs. Gordon yelped and squirmed as he tried to get out from under the heaviest of the lot of them. He begrudgingly made room as Virgil grinned at him. Scott and John claimed the other sofa forcing Alan to sit with Gordon and Virgil much to his annoyance. Five was a really awkward number Alan reflected.

"Do you think he's alright?" Virgil was referring to their dad. He had been awfully quiet again since the last few hours of the flight. He had been quite animated at dinner last night.

"I don't know but I've got a feeling he will be in time. I think having grandma here will really help. Just having some time on his own with her is the best thing for him right now I think." Replied Scott. They all nodded in agreement.

"So, this international rescue plan of dad's, what do we think?" Asked Alan.

"I thought he needed an MRI for a head injury at first." Said Scott, the boys laughed.

"It did sound a little crazy at first but the more we discussed it... I found myself strangely warming to the idea." John stated.

"I love the idea of being able to rescue people in need but running a kind of organisation like that, there's so much responsibility. I mean if it went wrong, we would be completely liable! it's a massive undertaking. I would feel a lot of pressure to get it right." Virgil voiced with concern.

"I know what you mean. Surely dad could just hire some actual professionals?" Scott pondered. "It would make more sense."

"Did you see the notes he was scribbling last night? He had already pictured us in the roles. I really think he wants it to be a family affair." Alan said.

"Well I think it's pretty cool. As long as I got time to study the ocean as well as rescue people and if I could divert those disasters that cause so much damage to marine life and save people in need, then I am all for it. I could have my own submersible; it would be awesome. I mean what a cool job."

"You already have a cool job brother." Alan replied.

"I do but its pretty shit having to be posted wherever they want you and all the rules and regulations you have to abide by. I've got a feeling working for dad could be more flexible at least."

Virgil and Scott shared a glance. They both knew what it was like to work with their father. Flexible wasn't the term they would use.

"I like the idea of being posted on a space station. I was going to train as an astronaut anyway so I always anticipated I'd be living in space. This way I could study the stars in my spare time, collect data for my journals and help people in need. "Gordon rolled his eyes. Only John could get excited about living in the outer atmosphere by himself.

"I don't mind my role at Tracy industries but its pretty mediocre at times. Being involved in rescues, flying and engineering sounds amazing."

"Virgil you just described the air-force! I told you you'd love it!" Exclaimed Scott.

"I would, if it didn't involve potentially killing people and I'm not sure I'd make it through the physicals or that level of expertise when it comes to flying." Virgil countered.

Scott sighed. "It's very rare you actually kill people these days Virgil - there's not been a major conflict for decades. It's about maintaining defenses, monitoring and protecting air-space, defending people from potential threats and like dad said there are some humanitarian missions too."

"Scott the motto is Aim high… Fly-Fight-Win. It's not like the seals is it? Ready to lead, Ready to follow, Never quit." Gordon raised a brow as he took a swig of his coke.

"Ok, so we flyboy's can be a bit pretentious!" Scott shrugged playing up to the stereotype. Gordon shook his head.

"Yeah just a bit! W.A.S.P is simply submerge hidden, rise unconquered"

Scott just scoffed yeah like that's any less pretentious. "Well its difficult when some of us actually have jobs we love. I just don't know if that's something I can give up. I'm so close to making captain I can taste it." Scott clenched his good hand around his can. You could hear the slight pop of the metal.

The boys all knew Scott was doing the job he was born to do. He had always wanted to join the air force since he was a kid. Both his mom's parents had served and so had his dad. He felt it was his calling to and it sure was. No one could deny Scott was made for the air force. He was one of the top-rated pilots in the core and had worked hard to achieve the position he was in. He was younger than most of those of equal rank and had a lot to prove. He had excelled and thrived proving his doubters wrong as he rose through the ranks at speed.

"I can imagine it's a tough decision for you to make, giving up your dream job is one of the hardest things you can do but think of all the lives you could save. You would be making a difference on a global scale and not just the US air-force directives. You'll still get to travel the world and from the sounds of it, fathers got the fastest air-craft already lined up with your name on it." Virgil tried to persuade him.

"I know the craft he means but it's not in production like he thinks it is, it hit a snag. Its going to cost a lot to get it into production. You could make a whole fleet of aircraft for the cost this one is going to come in at. Its eyewatering even for a millionaire." Scott looked disappointed, he really did want to fly it and if it was to be his well…. It would certainly be an opportunity he would be unwilling to miss. He liked the idea of being able to rescue those in need every day in honour of his mother and grandfather. Every day would be a fresh challenge. He was torn, he never thought he's wanted to do anything else but he couldn't deny the appeal.

Virgil could see the inner torment, the occasional flicker betrayed in his facial expressions. Was it unfair of his father to ask this of Scott? He had his whole career mapped already whereas the others were still young enough to change or adapt their plans.

"All this thinking's giving me a cracking headache. Shall we play pool?" Alan asked hopefully.

OXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Across the yard Jeff and his mom were sat in his living room with a steaming coffee each and some home baked chocolate cookies that his mom knew he was partial too. He was sat on the sofa and she was sat on the smaller sofa opposite. For a moment there was just silence between them. It didn't feel awkward it was a mutual respect to each other knowing that they were both adjusting to this new life without their partners. Both of them very conscious of the spaces next to them where their loved ones should be sitting. Many coffees and catch ups had been shared over this table in this room at different times in their lives. Birthdays, their weddings, handing over the farm to their son, coming to meet their new-born grandsons. So many memories all intertwined with fondness and a longing aching to be that way again. His mom was determined not to push him, if he wanted to talk, he would. He had been through a lot; it was understandable he would be withdrawn. She really hoped he knew he could confide in her. Jeff had always been emotionally tactile as a child; he would always say how he felt even if he didn't know why. Then he had joined the air force and it had all changed. Anything perceived as vulnerable or emotive had been quashed out of him. The pressure to fit in with the lads and rise through the ranks took away Jeff's ability to express those feelings teaching him to suppress them instead. She set down her coffee which seemed to break him out of his reverie.

Jeff looked at the picture above the mantelpiece the one of them all in the snow together last Christmas. They were all so happy….. he blinked back the impending tears and tried to swallow as the tightness in his throat began to build. He tried to look at the other images, his eyes becoming more blurred as they did so. He knew seeing his mom would make it worse before it hopefully got better. Being here in this house, didn't help either. There were too many memories. Just the smell of home was triggering him in a way he hadn't even experienced at the Kyrano's. He looked at his mom. "Mom. When does it stop hurting so much?" Jeff swallowed before silent tears started to fall thick and heavy against his sun weathered cheeks.

"Oh Honey, come here." She motioned for him to do so. He was surprised as he found himself crossing the room and allowing her to embrace him willingly. He couldn't contain It anymore. He cried releasing all the emotions of the last few weeks in one large wave no longer hindered by shame. His mom gently rubbed his back and just held him whilst trying not to cry herself. "It's ok son, its ok to cry, its ok to feel. It never goes away but it can fade in time with the help of family and friends. The best thing we can do is to share our memories to keep them alive in spirit and in our hearts. They live on through us Jeff, there's not a day that goes by that I don't see your father in you. That's what I hold on to. As long as you are here, there will always be a part of your father living on just as their mother lives on in them." She drew his attention to the picture above.

He couldn't bring himself to reply so he just nodded. It was a comforting thought but just resting under his mom's chin helped him feel calmer. His mother was the one remaining constant in his life, that connection to his childhood and the feeling of her always being able to comfort him in only the way that a mother can. They stayed sat for a while until Jeff drifted into a peaceful slumber. Ruth managed to ease herself out from under him before settling the patchwork quilt blanket over him. She grabbed a tissue from her sleeves and scrubbed her eyes furiously before heading to the kitchen to make dinner. He was home and she would stay as long as she was needed.