49

Jeff woke up early, he hadn't slept much last night. He glanced over at the clock It as five AM. He stared at the ceiling, the sheets trapped around his waist, v neck shirt open halfway down. A whole year without his wife by his side, today was the first anniversary of her death. How it had passed so quickly Jeff had no idea, he felt a pang in his chest as he realised his father had been gone that long too. He rolled over to his left looking at the empty space, he'd brought the mattress and bed from the farm, he found he couldn't part with it just yet. Silly but it still brought him comfort to know she had once been there. His hand ghosted across that side of the bed; the familiar little dent was still there. He remembered the day he had ran from home and all that occurred since that time.

Jeff had grown his company into a billion-dollar company and sown the seed for a new venture in the form of international rescue with the support of his sons, his mother and family friends. Scott had become a Captain of his squadron and nearly completed another full tour of duty; John had completed his degree in telecommunications and was now firmly on his way to his second year of astronaut training along with his brother Alan who had shown a natural aptitude for piloting. Virgil had been instrumental in leading teams on the engineering and design of their new rescue machines with Brains. Gordon had really proven himself in W.A.S.P getting promoted to ensign and although horrifically injured whilst on duty, he was fighting back daily. Jeff was so impressed at his resilience and determination to succeed. The physiotherapists were astonished at his progression and that fact that just after four weeks since waking up he was already applying for para-athletics. On his first few performances alone, he had secured a coach and was looking to apply for the spring championships in several swimming categories.

Jeff stood and picked up the favourite picture of him and his wife. "I know you would be so proud of them, love you always; my love." He popped the picture down on his bedside cabinet. He wanted to return to kanas to visit their graves but with Gordon still receiving treatment and his mother staying to help care for him in Sydney he had felt it would be best to wait until John and Alan returned to the academy at the start of the new term in a couple of weeks, then they could combine one trip all together. His mother would want to tend to his father's grave, he knew she felt guilty at having not visited recently. Jeff felt the same but he always made sure the cemetery keeper laid fresh flowers monthly for both his wife and father.

John was in his room across the hall from Jeff's, surveying a small box. He opened the lid and pulled out an exquisite wrist watch. His thumb traced over the engraving on the back "For my darling Jeff, love you to the moon and back – Always -L x". It was what they could only assume was an anniversary gift from his mother to his father. Grandma had found it tucked in the old dresser in the kitchen when packing up their possessions. Underneath the box was a receipt dated the day before they had gone away on holiday, she obviously intended to give it to their dad on their return but never got the chance. Grandma had shown them it and was pondering what to do when John came up with an idea. If their dad was going to be the commander of this new rescue organisation then he would have to be contactable at all times but in a discreet way, a smart watch would be the perfect disguise and an easy way for him to communicate. John had asked Brains to adapt the smart watch with the technology they needed and suggested they could gift it to dad on his wedding anniversary which was today. The other boys agreed it was a lovely gesture and were sure dad would love it but they were worried it might upset him. John carefully wrapped it, he was the neatest at wrapping and enjoyed the task so much so most of his brothers would get him to wrap their gifts. Scott in particular was especially rubbish at wrapping he was always in such a hurry it always looked half assed with bits of tape and gaps everywhere. Satisfied with his handi-work he added a gold bow and took it with him to breakfast.

In the kitchen he was surprised to find Virgil already making coffee and Alan sat at bar. John had popped the present in his satchel along with his book. "Good morning we're all up early." he slid onto a stool next to Alan just as his dad came in. "Well we did say we'd all go to see Gordon today he's keen for us to see his progress." Virgil set a cup of coffee down in front of John, black just how he liked it.

"Morning dad."

"Morning, a quick breakfast and straight over to the mainland is it?" They nodded.

Kyrano popped a selection of bacon, eggs and toast on the table to which they all helped themselves. Once fuelled for the day they headed out to the plane, Virgil said he would pilot to build up his flight hours. There wasn't much talk on the way over they were all subdued in their own ways, mulling over past memories and what had happened at the lodge last year. It wasn't something they would ever forget, even with time.

They headed through the hospital reception and trod the now familiar path to their brothers' room when they opened the door, they were pleased to see him in a hover chair in gym gear "Hey!" I thought we could go for a walk around the gardens?"

Jeff was pleased to see his son looking so active. "Sure, that sounds great, let's go."

Jeff saw his mother in the corner and gave a her a quick embrace as the boys plied out the door chatting. "You doing ok?" he asked her softly.

She broke away. "As much as you are, I imagine?"

He nodded as they headed out together arm in arm behind the boys. It was a beautiful day outside, the sun basking down on the pretty square garden with raised beds and winding paths. They strolled towards the centre where there was a large pond with Koi carp and a little bridge over the middle. "How is he doing?" Jeff nodded towards Gordon who was pointing out the sub species of Koi to his brothers and the pet names he had given them. "Jeff he is absolutely remarkable! He has thrown himself into the physio and developed his own training programme. The physio says he is already way ahead of where he should be, he's recovered his upper muscle tone quickly, apparently it helped that he was in such peak condition before. He's determined to enter into the Paralympics next summer."

"Really?" Jeff was amazed could his son really turn it around that quick?

"Usually it takes over 12 months but did you know Gordon could already swim with his legs bound together?" they slowed as the they got nearer to the boys.

"No, I didn't even know that was possible."

"Well that seems to have given him a head start, the first few times he took on a lot of water and struggled but in the last week he seems to have been able to adapt his technique to cope. They can't keep him out the pool now!"

"Hmm I noticed his hair was damp when we came in." Jeff smiled.

The boys had chosen a large picnic table to sit on under the trees where they pulled out some sweets and drinks, Jeff and his mother perched on one side, the boys on the other. "It's a shame Scott couldn't be here today." Grandma said sadly.

"It is, unfortunately he was only granted a brief respite due to Gordon and completing his primary objective. He's had to return to finish up his full tour which ends on the 30th December then he's got another weeks leave for the start of the new year." Grandma nodded. It was just like when Jeff had been away, there had been whole years where he hadn't come home.

The boys looked at each other, they weren't sure when was the best time to bring this up but they were going to have to at some point. Grandma could see what they were gearing up to and nodded at Virgil. Virgil cleared his throat. "Er dad, we know that today is a day of mixed emotions with the anniversaries but it's your wedding anniversary too. Grandma found something last month that we think you should have." Virgil looked to John who pulled the small box out of his bag and pushed it towards his dad. Jeff looked perplexed; he recognised the handwriting on the tag tucked under the bow. "This….. this is your mother's writing." He touched the small scrap of card gently almost afraid it might turn to dust. "It is, turns out mom had hidden her anniversary gift for you, Grandma found it so we thought we would gift it to you on this anniversary for mom."

"Where was it?" Jeff asked his mum as he gently picked up the box.

"In the old dresser behind the drawer."

"Lucy knew I would never spring clean, it would be the perfect place to stow away something she didn't want me to find, she always moaned I would find and spoil all her surprises." A quick smile flashed across his features making him look younger than his years.

He slowly undid the bow and pulled the lid off the black card box. Inside was a leather case, when Jeff opened it his eyes fell on a beautiful custom watch. It had black leather staps with a large analogue face with gold roman numerals on a white background and set in a brass casing. Engraved on the back was a message. He tried not to choke as he read love you to the moon and back – always – L x, again it was in her writing; she'd etched it herself. He swallowed loudly trying to clear the lump in his throat. "I asked Brains if he could adapt the smart watch element, allow me to demonstrate." John brought his own watch up and pressed the dial inwards on the side and twisted it until it reached the desired frequency. Suddenly the watch in Jeff's hand vibrated.

"What the!"

"Dad press the button on the side." John instructed. As he did John's face peered back at him where the clockface had once been.

"Hi!" He waved with Gordon next to him"

"Wow! That's remarkable!"

John cut the call. "I figured that if you are going to be the commander of IR then you need to be contactable at all times in a discreet manner, so I figured watches would be the best thing. We can all contact each other in seconds if we need to. When I saw the watch that mom got you it gave me the idea. I also thought it was a nice way to encompass mom in our new venture, she would have wanted to be involved." Jeff stood and motioned John to get up before he gripped him in a hug. "Thank you, son, it means a lot. I will treasure it always. And thank you mother for finding it, I'd hate to think it could have been lost."

"Your welcome." It was lovely it had been found. She missed Grant so much she wished she might find something tucked away one day, some piece of their lives she had yet to discover but she knew it was unlikely.

Jeff took off his old watch and placed the new one on, it was he perfect fit. He settled on the bench again. "So, Gordon you still want to stay here?"

"Yeah, I have found myself a coach and joined the local para swimming club here, they are confident I can make the trials so I want to stay and train. I figure me being at home with the carers also might be a bit of an issue with you know – the project you have going on. So, it's better I stay here for now."

"Well only if your sure son, home is all set for you and I am sure we could work some way around the carer issue."

"Honestly, I'm good and Grandma has offered to stay a little longer so I won't be lonely." He smiled. He looked at the time. "Ah man! I'm sorry to break this up but I've got a physio session in thirty."

"It's ok we ought to think about heading back anyway but we promise to come and visit again soon ok?"

Gordon nodded before getting a cheeky glint in his eye. "Race you back to the entrance last one owes rest of us beers."

"Oh, come on that's not fair! I don't have a hover chair." John looked at his leg, the cast was off but it was still stiff and he was walking with a limp.

"Hop on, Virgil and Alan can piggy back to liven it up a bit."

John looked nervously at the chair; his brother was not known for his piloting skills. He didn't want to break his leg but the look of joy on Gordon's face had him saying yes. Alan hopped onto Virgil's back from the table.

"Boys! This is a hospital not a race track…."

Their dad was drowned out by the countdown as they raced off in to the distance with yells of watch out and not too fast! Jeff scowled after them.

"Oh, Jeff don't be so hard on them, there only having a bit of fun!"

"It's all fun and games until one of them cracks their head open mother.."

"Well; then we better go after them." She stood up and offered him a hand.

They walked back to the reception, they assumed that was where the boys had ended up. "Are you still taking them on the trip tomorrow?" She was referring to Jeff's maiden voyage to the new satellite.

"Yep we're already a bit behind because of John's injury I would have preferred Scott to test it and take them up but If needs must…." There was a twinkle in his eye.

"Jefferson Tracy something tells me its no hardship for you!" She linked arms with her son.

"I'm not going to lie I'm quite excited; I thought my days were over but it seems I've been given one last chance."

"I hope you've had a check up first."

"Mom, I had a full medical last week, not exactly NASA standard but good enough."

"Hmm, well promise me you'll be careful and you'll call me the moment your back." He bent to kiss her on the head.

"Of course, I will."

He could see the lads auguring in the foyer but he was thankful they all seemed in one piece. It seemed Gordon had won but only because he took a concealed short cut, he was arguing there was never a specific agreed route therefore he won fair and square.

"Right come one lets sign out and leave these poor people in peace. Gordon, it seems you still have energy to burn so you better get to that appointment." Jeff ruffled his hair as he ducked out the way.

"Bye dad, bye guys!" They all waved, Gordon and Grandma stayed in the foyer until the rest of the family was out of sight. "Well that was lovely."

"It sure was Grandma." Despite the anniversary it seemed that things were looking brighter for the future.