The silence that took over was palpable as all eyes fell on the young astronaut. Gordon watched as John took their grandmother's hand when it seemed she might lose her balance, helping lead her into a chair.
"Alan -" Penelope asked, her voice softer than he had ever heard. "Are you certain that's what you want?"
The teen seemed to realize just what his wish had caused in the those around him and he faulted slightly. Gordon knew this part of their history - knew how their father had been lost. It wasn't too far fetched that the youngest would want to know more having spent so short a time with the man.
When blue eyes met amber, Gordon offered a subtle nod of encouragement. The genie had suffered his own heartache at losing people he cared about and never knowing what happened. He could find the answers, whether good or bad. It was worth knowing.
Another second ticked in silence before he gave a quiet "yes." Alan's gaze never left his.
"Alright," she sounded sad, but Penelope would trust him not to hurt this family. "Gordon?"
"I'll try my best to warn you, but the wish will dictate that I have to tell you everything," he spoke as he took a step closer to the bed, centering himself for the task ahead.
"We understand," Alan turned to the others. "Right, guys?"
A solemn breath from Scott and silence from the others filled the room before the eldest regarded the genie. "Go."
It was simple and all Gordon needed to do was lift his hand, a sad smile on his face. "I'll be back soon."
Snap, and he was gone.
OoOoOoO
Soon seemed to be a relative time frame dependent on how long it would actually take the genie to figure out just what they needed to know. The longer the wait, however, the more painful each second grew.
But maybe it was just the head injury.
No, Alan thought as he toyed with the ice pack, feeling the slosh of the coolant gel under his fingertips. The ache wasn't in his head. His chest felt tight and his stomach kept turning with the thought of what Gordon would bring back. The answers couldn't be pleasant, but he needed to know.
"You okay, Allie?" Scott set a gentle hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. The lines on his older brother's face said more than the calm in his voice. This wish hurt. It was painful for all of them and he suddenly felt so selfish.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, feeling the hot tears stinging his eyes. "I shouldn't 've-"
"Hey, kiddo, it's okay," the eldest kept his voice low as he looped an arm over the teen's shoulder and pulled him against his chest. "This is supposed to be difficult, but at least we get to know - Dad would've wanted us to know."
"But what if -" the blonde took a shuddering breath, trying to quell the nausea brought on by the concussion and nerves. "What if it was really bad?"
Scott had been the one to step up when their father disappeared and also the one who had the final say on when they stopped looking. It had been beyond difficult to fathom back them, but now, he seemed to wear all of that weight at once. What if Dad had been alive and they'd given up on him? He would have died alone, wondering why his family had never come.
Another squeeze to his shoulder and Alan found his brother smiling down at him. "No matter what happens, Alan, we can't regret the past. We did what we could. Dad understood that bad things happen and not everyone come be saved. Including himself." Scott took the ice pack and placed it back on the sizable lump under the blonde hair. "But we can always have hope."
The chill of the gel quickly set into the swelling and Alan found himself leaning heavily into Scott's chest. The hand on his shoulder began to drag up and down, making it impossible to keep his eyes open. Part of him knew this was a bad idea, but he would leave it up to his brothers to figure that out.
But, when the hand stopped and the fingers clasped to his shirt, Alan pulled his eyes open to see what had distracted his brother. It didn't take much to notice the swirl of smoke forming in the room and the figure at its center.
Suddenly, he was awake, staring unblinking at Gordon's face. Alan wasn't sure what he'd been expecting, but the calm expression only served to send his heart pounding.
"You found him?" Scott voiced the question they all had and the genie nodded. The arm around his shoulders tightened, though Alan figured it was more for the pilot than himself. He was Scott's anchor, giving him focus in keeping his little brother safe.
"What happened?" Alan managed through his increasingly dry throat.
Gordon's expression softened as he met the teen's question. "I'm going to give you the short answer since I believe that will suffice."
His words made the knot in Alan's gut twist and he let the breathless "okay" slip out before he could stop it.
And the genie smiled. "You dad's ship didn't explode. It launched."
The apprehension turned quickly to confusion, which seemed to be true for all his brothers as their voices merged into a combination of huh's and what's. Alan just stayed silent, staring at Gordon like he might've said it wrong. The smile remained, though.
"What do you mean 'launched'?" Scott asked.
"I mean, he launched - into space." And that grin widened just a bit more. "And he's waiting for someone to wish him home." Amber shifted to lock onto Grandma, still supported by John.
"He's alive -" she whispered through her fingers as though any louder would ruin it and they would all find out this was some terrible joke.
"Yes, ma'am, and about ready to handle some of your cooking?" Gordon's head tilted with a hint of confusion. "His words, not mine."
A laugh - though choked with a sob - sounded from the elder woman. She nodded through the tears, her voice shaky as she didn't wait a second longer. "I wish my son was home."
Lady Penelope leaned forward, whispering something to Gordon before the genie could turn to ask. And then, a snap - so loud Alan thought he might go deaf from its impact. Smoke flooded the infirmary, swirling into a pillar and rippling over the ceiling.
Alan had been shocked to see Gordon disappear just moments ago, but this had him clinging to Virgil's and Scott's hands. It wasn't loud - no earth shaking rumbles - just wind and clouds that condensed at the center of the room.
And just as quickly, it all stopped, the smoke falling to the floor.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Except Gordon, who stepped forward took the lone figure's arm before he could fall to the floor.
He - Dad - that was their Dad!
The second ticked and then everyone was moving. Virgil and Scott dropped his hands and took over for the genie, lifting their father from the floor and helping him over to the bed next to Alan's. The helmet was removed and lain on the end of the bed, a collective intake of shuddered breath leaving them in silence once more.
"Hello, boys," Jeff rasped, fingers digging weakly into his eldest son's arm as blue eyes flitted between each face and glistening with tears. "It worked? I'm not dreaming?"
Alan found his view obstructed as Grandma stood, John following. The pain in his head spiked as he tried to move, wanting desperately to be a part of the most impossible thing to happen to him. A tear slid free with the frustration until a hand landed on his arm and he found Gordon smiling at him.
"Am I allowed to move you?" He asked hesitantly.
"Doesn't matter if you're not," the astronaut ignored the sniffle, already shifting to get off the bed. Gordon did his part in supporting the teen over to the bed where his father was currently wrapped in their grandmother's arms. If it weren't for the genie's arm around his back, Alan knew he would be on the floor as his head spun and chest burned.
Another arm took his other side and he looked up to see Virgil, tears streaking over his cheeks. Gordon shifted to allow the elder brother to take charge, but Alan's hold on the Hawaiian shirt was the only communication needed to let the genie know he wasn't allowed to leave.
"Alan?" There was concern in his father's voice, as well as a significant level of awe. "Is that you?"
"H-hey, Dad," an unruly number of tears fell.
"Oh, Allie," a shaky glove lifted and he was helped to the side of the bed, giving up his hold on Gordon to take his father's hand. "You're all grown up."
"You've been gone a long time," Scott explained from the head of the bed.
"But -" Jeff faltered. "It was only two years…" His weathered eyes clenched against the onslaught of information. "Ah no - light years… I'm so sorry boys. I didn't -"
"No-no, Dad," the eldest worked to quiet the guilt they could all hear. "This isn't your fault. You saved the world with what you did."
"We're just glad your back," John voiced what everyone was thinking.
"Damn miracle," a harsh exclamation from Virgil. His second eldest brother pulled him closer. "Good call, kiddo."
Eyes shifted to him and Alan could feel all the appreciation brought on by one wish. "I - it just - it seemed like the only thing worth wishing for."
His father's smile was warm as his hand cupped his youngest's face. "Oh Alan, it certainly has made my lifetime. Thank you so much."
More tears fell at the touch and praise. "Love you, Dad."
"I love you, too - all of you." And they were all content to cling to the family they never thought they would see again.
OoOoOoO
Gordon had relinquished Alan to his brothers, unsure of what else to do until he turned to find a very pale Penelope watching, wide eyed. He took the few steps needed to reach her, letting her wrap trembling arms around his chest. They stayed that way while the others talked and cried and just soaked in each other's presence. It wasn't until Penelope pushed herself away did he feel comfortable letting her stand on her own.
"Thank you," she whispered, her hand still on his arm.
"Just doing my job, M'lady," he smiled to her, wiping one of the errant tears from her cheek.
They watched the family reunion a while longer before they felt the need to give them some privacy. They located Parker in the kitchen in the process of making Sherbert's lunch and a snack for himself. At first sight of Penelope's slight dishevelment, he abandoned the task.
"What's 'appened? Is young Alan alright?" The chauffeur asked as he met them.
"Yes, Parker, nothing to worry about," she paused, seeming to think better of what she'd said. "Actually, that's not quite - he's still injured, I'm afraid, but there's been a development."
"A development?" The elder man's eyes shifted to Gordon who took the initiative to lead Penelope to the patio.
"Let's talk outside," he didn't give his mistress the chance to argue as he led her to the cushioned lounger and let her sit. The breeze off the ocean was warm, a stark contrast to the ship Gordon had found Jeff Tracy on. He understood what their father had been through - alone for years. Finding him had created a need in the genie to soak in all he could from the earth.
"Out with it then, mister Gordon," Parker snapped, not thrilled with the effect Jeff's return was having on her ladyship.
"Alan made a wish," he stated, simply. "I found their father."
Parker's brow knit with confusion. "Found 'ow exactly? Is 'e - alive?"
"Very much alive and in the infirmary with his family," a grin pulled across his face at the sudden exclamation that slipped through the chauffeur's lips. He moved to allow the Parker to sit as well. "I think it'd be nice to set up some kind of welcome back party for them, whaddya say, Lady P?"
The London agent gave the pug a loving scratch behind his ears, brightening at the idea. He loved how easy it was to read her right now. She always worked to make other people's lives easier or more rewarding. It was one of the reasons she had suggested they visit the Tracys. If she could help the family, she would.
And she had.
"Where would you like to start?" Penelope posed the question to him.
"Really?" Gordon found himself moderately taken aback by the offer. "You want me to plan it?"
"Why not? You've done wonders today. You deserve something fun." Her smile sparkled in the sun shining through the draped canopy. "So, what should we wish for?"
He thought for a moment, trying to consider what might be too much, where everything would come from and just how the newly returned father would handle it. Maybe just food, a cake, and once everyone was given a chance to settle, they could go big. Gordon had a wealthy banquet he could pull the food from, preventing most of it from going to waste as it had been set up for a single person who believed in over-extravagance.
He was coming to a head with his ideas when they heard the elevator door open and the sound of quick moving steps. Scott appeared a second later, his face set in a hard line as he strode towards them.
"Is everything alright?" Penelope asked, but Gordon could already tell what was about to happen and tried his best not to flinch. Arms wrapped around him in an intense hug that lifted him from the ground with a yelp.
He got the distinct feeling that this was well out of the commander's norm as he quickly released him. "Thank you - I can't - gah! Just thank you! I'm so sorry for before. We owe you so much."
"Scott," Gordon laughed, lifting hands to ward off further groveling. "It's okay, this is what I do. I'm just happy it worked out for the better." Because this could have gone down a dark path if he hadn't discovered their father was alive. Gordon's memory flashed back to a time his master had wished for him to find a child who had been kidnapped, only to find out they were too late. That one had been rough, but he had been able to offer the family closure. That had to mean something. "So how is he?"
"Good - great! Hungry, actually. That's one of the reasons I came up." Scott spoke a mile a minute and Gordon caught the slight glimmer in the blue eyes. "What do I make a man who's been gone for so many years?"
"Ah, well, we were just discussing that," Penelope smiled, her eyes on the genie "Gordon, what do you suggest?"
He grinned, knowing exactly what was needed. "Just wish for food and I'll bring in a spread fit for a king."
Her brow rose questioningly, "from where?"
The smile spread with how adept she was getting with the rules. "Oh, I know a guy. Worst kind of wasteful scumbag. He won't miss it."
Blonde ringlets bobbed as Penelope nodded. "Alright, I wish for food for our celebration."
Oh, they would be celebrating for quite some time with how much he was about to obtain and with the reaction Gordon had witnessed down stairs, he knew it would be worth it. A life had been renewed. Nothing got better than that.