Silent Tears
By Puzzler
Disclaimer – Thunderbirds is owned by Gerry Anderson and Working Title Films. I'm only borrowing them for fun.
Summary – After the death of their mother, the lives of the Tracy brothers change dramatically. How did they get through this traumatic time, and become the family of heroes we now know? Slightly AU.
A/N – I AM SO SORRY FOR THE HUGE GAP BETWEEN CHAPTERS! I had difficulty writing this chapter and trying to make it seem realistic. Oh dear, that sounded like an excuse. Again, I am very sorry, and thank you for sticking with me. I will do my best to keep breaks between chapters shorter in future. Please enjoy this latest section, and any comments or ideas you have would be very welcome.
Silent TearsChapter 4 – Remembrance
The church was full with all the friends and colleagues Lucille had had an impact on. The brothers sat with their father and grandmother at the front, tears running down their faces and trying to stay strong. The only sound was the soft voice of the priest.
"Now, before we go into the last hymn," the priest announced to the silent congregation, "I know the family have a few words they wish to say…"
Jeff slowly stood up, carrying Alan, followed by all his other sons, and walked towards the podium. All eyes gazed at them, filled with sadness and comfort.
"I…I don't have the words to describe Lucille. Everything I think of doesn't seem to be enough to do her justice. The years I spent with her were some of the happiest of my life and I will now try to continue to raise our sons the way she would have wished. We will always carry lots of happy memories of our time with her, and we would like to share some of those with you now." Jeff paused to collect his thoughts.
"The first time I met Lucille was in college. I had been studying engineering for a year, while she had just started a literature course. The college cafeteria was full, and we ended up at the same table. I knew there was something about her, something loving and gentle. I think I loved her from that moment on, and always will."
After a moment of silence, Jeff moved back away from the podium and John stepped forward.
"As a tribute to our mother and all she has done for us, we as her sons wanted to remember a time that was special to us. We have each written a short message, and we hope she gets them." John stopped and opened a folded up piece of paper.
"Alan doesn't really know what's happening, and I know he still believes our mother to be alive. When asked what he liked best about mum, he said 'Thank you mummy, for stopping the bed monsters and giving me toys and for telling me stories.'" John looked briefly towards Alan, held safely by Jeff.
"John, can you read this for me?" Gordon asked quietly just before John moved away from the podium, handing him another piece of paper. Virgil also gave John his message.
"OK." John turned back away from the brothers. "Gordon's message is 'You were always there when I was scared or when I couldn't do something. You supported me when I took up swimming and were so happy when I competed for my school. I hope I can carry on without you.' Virgil wished to say this, 'You bought me my first painting set when I was 4. I always loved showing you what I had done to see you smile. I will miss being able to do that mum.'" John finished and let Scott move forward.
Scott unfolded his note. "I know I wasn't very easy to 'deal' with most of the time, but you always seemed to be patient, and were there to help me when I got into trouble. I'll try not to be as much trouble now. I know we will all miss you being here with us."
John patted Scott on the shoulder as he moved to say his own message. "When this first happened, I didn't know how we would carry on. She has always been there to help us, or to act as peacemaker when things went wrong between us. But now I do know. We have to be there for each other, as she would have wanted us to be. I…" he stopped, overcome by his thoughts. "I remember one of the last things she said to me, on that ski slope…she told me we had to be strong, and to not give in. And we won't. We will try to do as you would have wanted…we will always remember you."
The brothers walked slowly back to their seats, thinking over what everyone had said, and listening to the very last hymn: All Things Bright and Beautiful. Lucille's favourite.
FABFAB
"I'm proud of all of you, my sons. You were very brave today."
"We said what we wanted to tell her, that's all." Scott said quickly.
"And I'm sure she knows that. What do you want to do now?" Jeff asked, changing the subject.
"Can we go swimming dad?" Virgil asked. Gordon immediately perked up and was nodding enthusiastically.
Jeff was surprised by the request "Are you sure that's what you want to do?"
"Yes" Scott answered. "Come on Virgil. Race you upstairs to our room to get our stuff." Scott ran into the hallway, closely followed by Virgil and Gordon.
"You weren't expecting Virgil to ask that?" John asked his father.
"No. I thought you'd want to stay in for a while."
"I do, sort of. But this house, it has so many memories of her. I feel that I want to get away from it for a little while."
"Would it help if you stayed somewhere else for a few weeks or so? Until you are able to 'sort out' how you feel."
"I think so. It might help them get over what happened. Where would we go?"
"I think I will ask a favour of an old friend…" Jeff walked out of the lounge, leaving John puzzled.
FABFAB
"Of course I'll take them Jeff, if you think it will help. We have plenty of room, and Amelia will be glad to have guests."
"Thank you Hugh. I think the change will be good for all of us."
"I hope it will. It is a terrible tragedy to deal with for you. Do the boys know about this yet?"
"Not for sure, but John may have an idea of what I'm thinking."
"Alright. I will see what I can do to arrange flights out here."
"Thank you for doing this…"
"No. You deserve it. I'm only doing what a friend should."
FABFAB
"Dad. Dad, come on. What are you being so secretive about?" Scott whined, trying to get Jeff to tell him. Jeff had accidentally let it slip that he was planning something for them, and Scott had been pestering him about it all morning.
"I'll tell you about it when I'm ready Scott, not before. There are still a lot of details to work out first."
"Fine." Scott said, walking out in a huff. "…But you always say that." He added once he was out of earshot. He was still in a bad mood when he passed John and Alan's room a few minutes later, and he started to ask his brother about it as well.
"John, do you know…?"
"You've already asked me that Scott. I don't know what dad is planning." John said, without looking up from his book. He had thought about writing something else in his diary, but now he was glad he hadn't, as Scott would want to know what he was doing. He didn't think he could share that with his brothers just yet.
"But he's more likely to tell you if you ask him than me."
"Once dad has made his mind up about something, he's not going to tell me either."
"But…"
"Alright." John snapped slightly, closing the book and getting up. "I'll ask him. But only to stop you whining about it."
John walked out, closing the door more forcefully than needed, and didn't see the smile on Scott's face behind him. About a minute later, he was standing in the doorway of Jeff's office, looking at his father sitting in the comfortable leather chair behind the desk.
"Hello John." Jeff said as he looked up from the letter he was reading. When John didn't reply he thought he knew why his eldest son was there. "Did Scott ask you to come and see me?"
"Yes" John said, sitting down. "I told him you weren't any more likely to tell me than him, but I already know a bit of what is going on. They don't."
"Then you haven't told your brothers anything?"
"No, but they need to know soon. When will we be going?"
"That still hasn't been arranged for certain yet, but you're right, I can't keep it a secret for much longer. You can tell Scott that I will tell everyone later today."
"Good."
"I'm surprised you don't want to know yourself John." Jeff said, slightly pleased that everything was going to 'plan'.
"I want the surprise. I'll go and tell the others." John walked out the office door.
Jeff smiled at his eldest and turned back to the letter as John walked back up the stairs. Scott 'ambushed' him halfway up.
"Well? Did he tell you anything?"
"He's going to tell us all later today…when he's ready. Be patient."
"But…"
"No buts. You'll find out later." John walked into his room and shut the door, leaving Scott alone out in the hallway.
FABFAB
"I have made arrangements with your secretary at Tracy Industries and at the airport. The Tracy company jet will be ready when you are."
"You didn't need to do…"
"For the boss of the company Jeff, and considering what you have been through, they were all happy to help."
"I guess being known does have its advantages. How about we come to you on Friday?"
"Alright. We can meet you at the airport."
"No, we'll come to you. Now, I've promised to tell the boys the arrangements today, so I'll see you later in the week."
"Goodbye Jeff." He put the phone down and walked towards the stairs, and met up with Virgil coming out of the kitchen. "Virgil, go get your brothers. I have a little surprise for you."
"Cool!" Virgil exclaimed, putting down the drink he was holding and running up the stairs.
TBC…
A/N – Any ideas as to where the brothers might be going?