Buried Emotions

Disclaimer - see chapter one. Still liking that one.

Chapter Three

Alan sat on the bent tree that made up the "bench" in the small cove the family had long ago labeled as "Alan's Cove". Tin-Tin was resting between his legs, letting him play with her hair even as the soft ocean breeze ruffled both of their tresses.

Tin-Tin looked up and smiled at her boyfriend, before gently kissing him and laughing.

"What's so funny?" Alan asked even as he nuzzled at her neck.

"Has your father suggested a hair cut yet?" she teased as she twirled a blonde lock around her finger.

"I distracted him," Alan laughed. "I took him shopping with me."

"I thought you did most of your shopping on line and had it sent home."

Smiling, Alan kissed her again. "Well, part of it was shopping and part was getting something adjusted."

"Like what?"

"Your Christmas gift," Alan said smugly.

"So I can't find out until tomorrow morning?" Tin-Tin asked.

"Well…" Alan murmured. "Did you know it's a family tradition to open one small gift on Christmas Eve?"

"I know," she giggled. "We've been having Christmas together since we were ten."

"So maybe you should open this," Alan said, pulling a Tiffany's box out.

"Tiffany's?" Tin-Tin asked as she took the small signature blue box from Alan's hand. "Since when can anything from Tiffany's be called…small…"

Tin-Tin's voice trailed off after opening the box. Alan hastily explained.

"That was the ring my Grandpa Tracy gave Grandma. He was in the military and he had saved for months to get it. Grandma gave it to me before she died and said to give it to the girl whose face I wanted to see across the pillow every morning for the rest of my life. I had wondered why she had that silly smile on her face whenever she looked at the two of us arguing. But I think she knew what I wasn't ready to hear - that I had met the love of my life, someone to be my best friend and lover through thick and thin. Marry me, Tin-Tin."

"Yes," Tin-Tin whispered as she let Alan slip the ring onto her left hand. "It fits perfectly." Alan had bought her jewelry before but never a ring. "How did you get a perfect fit?"

"Your mom gave me one of your rings to have it fitted," Alan admitted.

"My mom knew?"

Alan grinned. "I asked for your parents' permission at Thanksgiving. I thought your mother was going to break my ribs with her hug."

"Your dad…"

"Went with me to pick up the ring," Alan assured her. "He is happy for us. Um…I may have kinda said we would remain in the main house, since he already let Gordon pick out the layout for his own place once Gordo finds a woman for more than a weekend."

"Is that his excuse?" Tin-Tin murmured before smiling. She'd let Jeff Tracy win this one.

The newly engage couple kissed for a few minutes before Tin-Tin asked, "Why here?" Seeing Alan's confusion, she clarified.

"Why propose to me here? Why not Boston or even in New York last night?"

Alan smiled. "Because this is where I fell in love with you. This is where I knew you were my soul mate. And this is where we'll spend our lives, raising our kids."

"A very good answer, Mr. Tracy," she murmured starting to kiss Alan only to have him pull back.

"PLEASE," Alan groaned. "Don't say that and kiss me. It sounds like you are making time with the old man."

"Well, he is rather handsome…" Tin-Tin teased, only to have Alan grab her around the waist and run into the water.

"ALAN!" she screeched, when Alan threatened to toss her into the tide.

"Say I'm better looking than my dad," Alan teased.

"You are so much hotter than your dad," Tin-Tin laughed, kissing him.

Unfortunately for Tin-Tin, the passionate kiss literally did make him weak in the knees and soon the two were lying in the surf as the ocean lazily drifted over them both. The two began to laugh before they picked themselves up and headed back to shore, holding hands all the way as they returned to the main compound.

As the couple cleared the last of the trees, they noticed everyone – including a newly arrived Lady Penelope and Parker – were gathered around the lanai.

Emily chuckled lightly. "Hey, Sarah – you and Tin are about the same size. Well…usually." Ignoring Sarah's glare at Emily's reference to her new baby bump, the tiny blonde laughed again. "Can you grab something for Tin-Tin? She'll be in our house showering before we head into the main house."

Steering the younger woman into the home she shared with John, Emily kept smiling even as her own husband had yanked his other blonde brother into the main house to shower and change. She had spotted the new piece of bling on her future sister-in-law's finger…and thought it would be best if the others didn't.

At least until after the kids had gone to bed.

John waited in his little brother's (little? The kid was over six feet and the tallest brother now!) suite for Alan to come out of the shower, smiling as he looked at the pictures that were tacked up over Alan's desk.

There were pictures with the family (especially his niece and nephews), pictures with Tin-Tin, one with Fermat from when Alan had visited the other boy in California, a few with some of his teammates from the Track Team, some older ones with Tomo or other Wharton's friends and…

John's hand froze as he took in the one picture. He had never seen it…

"That's a good picture of Mom, isn't it?" Alan asked with a careful air of casualness as he toweled off his hair.

"I've never seen it before," John admitted.

"I was never sure how to give it to you guys," Alan admitted. "I'm giving a copy of it to Dad for Christmas. It's actually as a really nice photo, I played around with it on the computer to get it to give a retro style – you know, muted image and colors and all. It looks cool."

"How did you get it?"

"You remember Helen Samuels? Well, she used to be Helen Manning?" Alan asked. When John nodded, Alan smiled.

"I got in contact with her after the avalanche to thank her." At John's slightly panicked look, Alan chuckled.

"You didn't watch any of the news stories, did you?" Alan missed the slightly green look on John's face as he pulled out some khakis and a polo shirt.

Shaking his head, John muttered, "It wasn't an appealing story to us."

Alan pulled on his khakis while he answered. "They kept bringing up the Tracy connection to that area. So it would be logical that I "discovered" that she had helped Scott rescue me back then and had tried to help save Mom. I called her to thank her, telling her I had never known who else had helped that day. We exchanged a few e-mails and she found that picture on an old zip drive when she was cleaning out her father's attic recently."

John looked startled. "Rocco Manning isn't..?"

Chuckling, Alan pushed his head through to adjust his shirt. "No, he's fine. He gave Helen and her husband the house just before their son was born – Dean Samuels the second. Rocco moved into a condo. Seems he decided a condo was better for his love life. The man has discovered the benefits of friends with benefits. You know – like Dad and Lady P."

"You…um, Alan, you know…"

"That Lady P and Dad are very close friends?" Alan laughed. "Yeah, for years. I even asked Parker once if I was the reason they never became more than that. He assured me it wasn't her reluctance to become an instant mom. It just wasn't the life for her. She likes the freedom that would be impossible to be if she were in a committed relationship."

As he sat down to pull on some loafers, Alan sighed. "But do yourself a favor…never surprise Dad when he thinks he'll be in New York by himself. Especially during Fashion Week."

"Let me guess," John sighed. "Lady P would never miss Fashion Week."

"And I can understand how Dad keeps up with everything," Alan sighed. "He has lots of stamina."

John rolled his eyes. He so didn't need to hear that.

"So what did Dad say when you surprised them?" he finally asked.

Alan sat for a moment. "I didn't mention it and they didn't see me. I slipped back out and went to stay with Ha Ha."

"Ha – oh, Ambassador Wattamee," John finally connected the dots.

Alan smiled a bit sadly. "She's retiring from the diplomatic corps and heading back to Japan, you know. Her brother had a heart attack and she is going to help run the family business until her nephew graduates college."

"I'm glad you've been able to help each other," John smiled. "I know it hasn't been easy, what happened to Tomo."

Looking at the pictures of Tomo over his desk, Alan nodded slowly. "Sarah asked if I would mind if they named this baby Thomas – they'll call him Tommy." A smile broke through. 'I told her Tomo would have loved it."

Alan had been the only person to call Tomo Tommy, but John knew his little brother's heart was finally starting to heal.

"You sure you don't want to save it for your own son, now that you and Tin are getting married?" John asked.

"You noticed? The ring? Or did Dad tell you?"

"The ring," John slowly said. "Dad knows? And he's not in a CICU?"

Rolling his eyes, Alan grumbled. "Dad isn't about to end up in cardiac unit just because I am getting married. And I promised him we were waiting until after we both graduate college."

"By how many days?" John teased.

"Tin would make a great June bride, don't you think?"

John laughed as he loped an arm over his brother's shoulders. "C'mon, Sprout. Let's go enjoy ourselves before Scott notices Grandma's ring on your gal's hand. Even with the new setting, all of the boys should recognize it. Then later, I need your help with my costume."

Alan leaned away to look at John. "Um…should that worry me?"

Sighing, John paused before they left the suite. "Little Bit is questioning how Santa can get everywhere he needs to. Emily's solution was to grab a Santa costume. Dad is having the kids spend the night in his suite so Elizabeth will see "Santa" slip past and…You know, this made a lot more sense when Emily and Sarah were coming up with it."

"Just roll with it," Alan shrugged. "Life can make more sense at times if you don't really think about it."

Nodding, John followed Alan out and wondered when Alan had become the sensible one. It made him a little sad…

Babies may grow up but that doesn't mean people who love them have to like it.

The family was gathered in the main room, music from the stereo playing a variety of Christmas Carols as everyone laughed and talked.

Jeff looked over his family and smiled. Through good times and bad, the Tracy loyalty to one and other had rung true. Catching Alan's eye as he sat beside Tin-Tin, Jeff raised an eyebrow and received an answering nod. Sighing slightly, the father knew he was happy for his son – Alan loved Tin-Tin and the girl made his baby happy…

But dammit, it was his baby!

Looking over at Kyrano and Onaha, he shared a brief smile. The couple had known Alan had planned to propose to their daughter and she had pulled them aside in the kitchen before the celebration had begun.

Standing, Jeff cleared his throat before he realized that something more was needed.

"Excuse me…"

"Excuse ME…"

A sharp whistle made everyone silent for a moment before they turned to stare at Emily. The tiny blonde blushed furiously, hiding her hand in the book she had been picking up as she ducked her head in embarrassment.

"Way to go, Em," Alan chuckled.

Jeff looked over his children by both blood and marriage, smiling at the grandchildren from only granddaughter, Elizabeth down to tiny DJ, dozing on his father's shoulder.

"I can still recall my first Christmas as a father. Scott was only about six weeks old, but Lucy insisted on a stocking and wrapped presents under the tree. I took so many pictures of that day but the ones I treasure most are forever in my heart. In time, Scott was joined by his brothers and I thought my life could never be richer or fuller."

Smiling at his daughters-in-law, he nodded at the three women. "Later, my three oldest would marry women who I am proud to call my daughters. Women who are not only perfect for each of my sons, but for our family. Women who have given us the treasures of immortality in my grandchildren, and the grandchildren yet to be born."

Looking at Alan and Tin-Tin, he nodded. "More than a decade ago, the Kyranos came to join us here and became a part of our family. Penny told me that one day Alan would realize why he fought so much with Tin-Tin…I had hoped they would be older than fourteen but you can't have everything."

The family chuckled, knowing how many times Jeff had worried over the couple falling in love so young.

"I couldn't love Tin-Tin more if she were my daughter," Jeff continued. "And today they have made the first step towards making that a reality. I am pleased to announce to the engagement of my son, Alan, to Tin-Tin Kyrano. May you be as happy as your brothers, Alan, because I know you have been as lucky in finding the perfect woman to marry."

"Seriously?" Sarah and Scott said at the same time. It should be noted that Sarah's was a delighted squeal while Scott's was far more appalled.

"Yes, seriously," Alan beamed, holding out Tin-Tin's hand to show the ring off.

"Oh, Allie," Sarah smiled. "Grandma Ruth's ring? And that setting is beautiful."

"Tiffany's does good work," Tin-Tin joked.

"And to think," Emily sighed to Sarah. "Our hubby's just bought us rings. Scott and Alan got to give ones with meaning."

Sarah giggled before kissing Virgil. She knew both brothers had selected the rings their wives wore because the stones reminded them of their wives eyes – Emily's midnight blue and Sarah's emerald green. Luckily, John and Virgil knew their wives were joking.

"Huh, if they don't like the stones, I guess that means no more matching jewelry for them, huh, Virg?" John joked in return.

"Nice try, Starman," Emily poked him in the side.

As the family began their congratulations and questions, Gordon was noticeably silent. Looking around he spotted Tomo watching him with a bit of sadness before moving closer to Alan in support.

Gordon finally stood and cleared his throat, gathering his family's attention quickly (much to Jeff's annoyance).

Raising his glass, Gordon gave a bittersweet smile. "To Alan and Tin-Tin – be as happy as you have always made this family. And give me new nephews to train in pranking!"

Everyone laughed even as the wives all gave small glares at the bachelor Tracy brother.

"He's blonde, Gordon," John laughed. "He may have a girl or two in the bunch."

"Samantha," Alan murmured, drawing curious looks. Glancing around the room, he shrugged. "I don't know – I just like the name."

"We'll keep that in mind," Tin-Tin laughed.

In a common room in Joliet Maximum Security Prison, two men sat side by side, exchanging small gifts made in the shops.

"I wish it could be more," Kyle Westcott whispered to his older half brother – the only family that meant anything to him.

Jack Mitchell clasped his younger brother's shoulder. God, he loved this kid. Kyle was the only person Jack had ever truly cared about besides himself. He had loved his late father, but despised him as a weak man. Jack had openly despised their mutual mother, seeing her as a selfish bitch who had never wanted either of her sons.

She hadn't either.

Kyle had hoped that with the deaths of his parents in a small plane crash a few months ago, he could access some of the money. But the courts had tied it up, with some people disputing he should inherit. His father had disowned him after Kyle was arrested in high school. But his mother hadn't. Oh, not because she had loved him or anything. She had simply forgotten to. And then the cancer had come.

In fact, it was yet another trip to another oncology specialist that the couple had been returning from when their plane was caught in a tornado outside of Illinois. The senior Westcott died on impact, but his wife had lingered for days afterwards. And since his father had died first, his will leaving everything to his wife had been activated.

"I have another gift for you, little brother," Jack whispered, ignoring the guard who was glaring at them for talking so long.

"Alan Tracy's head on a platter," Kyle muttered, looking at disgust at a four year old sports magazine that featured his old enemy.

"Close enough," Jack grinned. "We have a new ally. It will take a few months but in time, everything should fall into place. And I promise you, we will have our revenge."

Nodding, Kyle smiled at his brother before following him over to where some inmates were singing Christmas Carols.

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year

"Or at least it will be soon," Kyle thought darkly. "Merry Christmas, Tracy – because it will be your last."

A/N - Updated. OK?

Alan - Um, are you? You seem a bit cranky.

CC - I guess. Um...Congrats on the enagament?

Alan - Thanks. But why did you make me catch my dad doing THAT?

CC - You'll survive. (mutters) I did.

Alan - Seriously?

CC - Yeah. I was at college in Providence (Rhode Island) and was supposed to catch the bus the next morning. Instead, some one in my last class mentioned his roommate - who was from Manchester, NH - was driving home and taking him, since he lived in nearby Goffstown. I said I was from Auburn - the next town over on the other side of Manchester. Dave's roommate had come up behind us and asked if I wanted a ride home. Hmm. Dinner in the college caf or at my parents. No brainer, right? They were trying to - along with Dave's girlfriend, a college exchange student who was spending Thanksgiving with them - talk me into going out for pizza after dropping off my bag. Seeing Mom's car in the driveway, I decided to run it past her. (No cell phones, folks - I was eighteen, close to the age my daughter is now) Instead, turns out Dad's car was in the shop and my folks were both home. And busy. Yes - BUSY.

It was months before I would sit on the couch again. In my parents' defense, they thought no kids were home or due home until the next day. And I only told my parents about it a few years ago. Although mom had guessed.

I had left my weekend bag in the kitchen before going out for pizza.

Alan - So you are just working out childhood traumas with me, huh?

CC - Pretty much.

Alan - I don't know whether to love you or hate you.

CC - Hot chocolate and red velvet cake?

Alan - OK, love you.

NOW - I'd like to apologize, I haven't gotten to everyone's reviews. Thanks for them, they were the highlights of my week. But something is going on, and I haven't told most people, like if I don't say it, it will be ok.

My mom has been undergoing some testing, they think she may have cancer. Saying it - or writing it - is tearing me apart because it feels like by acknowledging it, it will make it happen. When Daddy was diagnosed in April 2008, he fought. God, how he fought. He was given five to six months but lasted until November of 2012. Today would have been his birthday. So it is painfully ironic that Mama is undergoing testing today to see if she also has cancer. One reason I say that is because there was no real history of cancer in my family until my father. TONS of heart disease but no cancer. And this is all coming about so quickly. Monday, Mama went to the doctor because she has been feeling poorly. They sent her for an MRI late Monday then called her Tuesday morning to come back in - and to bring a family member with her. Today they are doing some exploritory testing. My older sister is there. She said she is worried I would fall apart if the news is bad.

She's right. I would. That's not just my mother, she's one of my best friends. Daddy was my hero but Mom...

Reviews would be nice but prayers are what I am really asking for. I'd love a miracle but mainly I just need the stregnth. And I just don't know if I have it in me. - CC