It was surreal to see different versions of his sons walk, or in Als case roll, into the dining room. They were guided by Frank. Whom took the golden opportunity to soundlessly mouth at him "New level of crazy, even for you! Only you, Jeff! I would call you a bastard if I didn't know your mother so well growing up!".
Frank only earned himself a discrete eyeroll in return. Jeff tried to hide his amused smile as he leaned with his arms crossed on the doorframe, observing the spectacle that would play out before him.
Jeff thought to himself "My flock of rowdy kids, multiplied by two. Dear god. This had the potential to get crazier than their toddler years after Lucy's passing. Those days were more challenging than going to war, not that I would trade away time with my boys for anything. I am so grateful for Frank. I wouldn't want to do this without support. What would I do without him. The teasing bastard is keeping me sane.".
Alan had, after setting Lady Penelope loose on them, used the distraction and snuck down into the infirmary to talk with the world hoppers. Alan had, after a discussion with their version of John, invited them up for a brunch with a rescue mission debrief for dessert.
Jeff had to admit that he was impressed with his youngest son's social skills. Alan had come a long way from the frustrated and angry teenager, who longed to prove himself, that he was only a few years ago. How did time pass by so fast? It felt like it had passed by in a blink of an eye.
Gords excitedly exclaimed his appreciation for Onahas homemade bread. Looking much lighter and somehow younger than Jeff had seen him before. That was interesting. Gords had acted as a responsible big brother his entire time here, except for a few private moments with Scott. The arrival of his three older brothers seemed to have reset his personality and shifted it from emergency mode to a more relaxed teenager.
Seeing the three newcomers' faces lighten up, upon Gords happy exclamation over freshly made bread, caused Jeff to view them in a new light as well. Gone were the angst-ridden trio who invaded their Island by appearing out of thin air with a flash of lightning. Instead, a young family stood before him, the older ones sharing a familiar fond look. Looking around the room, taking in the view while still keeping one eye at their youngest brothers. Never letting them stray too far away from them.
Jeffs Alan walked into the room with an almost overflowing steaming basket of homemade bread.
"I heard someone was excited for these bad boys or rather bad buns." Alan said while grinning. Earning a few amused snorts and snickers around the room.
"You take that back! They are precious cloud bread, gifted from the goddess Onaha, not bad buns. Cease the blasphemy at once!" Gords exclaimed, having a familiar glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Oh, my apologies. I shall take these back then, because I was the one who baked them from scratch." Alan said teasingly while turning around to hide his smirk.
"Wait! You made them Alan! They smell and look amazing! You really weren't kidding when you promised making brunch with Onaha. Not that I ever doubted you! How did you get so good at baking and can you teach our Allie? He is as hopeless as they come regarding cooking." Other-John quickly jumped in to the conversation, entirely at ease with Jeffs Alan.
"Hey! That's not fair!" Al exclaimed, pouting at his space loving brother before realising the significance of the newcomer "Wait a second, Alan? You are me? And you can cook? That is so cool! Hi, I'm our family's version of you! You can just call me Al, since you were here first! It is only fair after all since you look older than me.".
Alan chuckled. "Thanks Al! Nice to meet you! And you must be Gordon! I may not be as good of a chef as Onaha yet, but she taught me everything I know regarding culinary skills. It is her bread recipe, after all. I hope that they will suffice, even though I made them. I asked Onaha to work on some more difficult dishes. Nice to see you again John. Everything is almost ready. I hope that you guys are hungry, we cooked enough for a small army. With two Tracy families, me and the Kyrano's only hope that it would be enough food for us all. I don't know about you guys but I am almost certain that my brothers are wolfs in disguise some days." Alan whispered the last part conspiratorially.
"Your right, I am Gordon! You weren't here before. Nice to meet you, Alan! I am sure your bread is amazing. It smells heavenly! Sorry for seeding any doubts!" Gordon said the last part a bit sheepishly.
"No worries! You must be Scott and Virgil! Lovely to meet you too!" Alan said, walking up to the group to exchange handshakes after putting the bread-basket down on the table.
"Did John have time to fill you in on the bare minimum of our earlier conversation?" Alan asked after shaking their hands.
"Nice to meet you, Alan!" Other-Scott said while shaking Alans hand "We got the cliff notes of the cliff notes. But we are eager to hear more."
"This feels so unreal! Nice to meet you! You are so tall compared to our little sprout." Other-Virgil said looking a bit shellshocked.
"Hey Virgie! That's not fair! He is older than me. Of course, he had more time to grow. You know as a medic should realise that!" Al said exasperated.
"If I acknowledge that, I would miss out on so many golden opportunities on teasing my favourite youngest brother!" Other-Virgil said lovingly to his own Alan.
"I am your only youngest brother, of course I'm your favourite with that singular option. There is literally no other option!" Other-Alan grumbled folding his arms across his chest.
Other-Virgil, seeing he accidentally made his Alan grumpy with his teasing, quickly stepped in front of his wheelchair and sunk down to his eye level, apologising sincerely "Sorry Allie! I did not mean to hurt your feelings. Of course, I know that you haven't had your growth spurt yet. I actually suspect that you will grow taller than me one day soon. I just used the opportunity to joke around with you a bit. I was just so happy that you felt well enough to eat with us all. I think that I felt everything was like normal for the first time in a long while and kind of forgot this entire situation for a second. I'm sorry kiddo, for being insensitive when your still unwell. I really do love you, even when I am a bit out of sorts, like now. Can you forgive me?".
Other-Alan looked a bit exasperated; the slight grumpiness shown previously, was blown away with the apology from his brother. Al took a deep breath and replied to his brother "Gee, Virgie! The whole apology was unnecessary! It wasn't serious enough to even warrant one, bro! I'm just still sore, tired and a bit oversensitive right now. I think, at least. Sorry about that! I will hopefully go back to normal soon and be able to give as good as I get on the teasing front! Of course, your forgiven! You don't even have to ask! I like that you don't treat me like I am made of glass, even though I scared you all and feel kind of fragile. I love you too!".
Jeff noticed his own Alan wear a conflicted look on his face, taking in the scene playing out before him. Alan quickly hid his expression into something neutral, as he noticed his father was watching him. The Other-Virgil and Al hugged, putting an end to the sudden sentimental moment. Jeff contemplated what Alans odd expression was about, filing it away for later.
"Hey Al! I think your brother is right in that you might grow taller than him soon! My Virgil is the shortest in our family and is not at all built like a strong body builder of a man like your brother! I got taller than mine when I was fifteen and a half. Don't mind your brother Al. If your anything like me your growth spurt will kick in any second now. I have it on good authority that you are similar to me by being a version of me. Just promise me to tease him back when you end up taller Al." Alan said, bringing up the atmosphere in the room to jovial again.
"Can we help you with preparing anything?" Other-Scott asked Alan.
"No, you are the guests! Thank you for offering. Just take a seat at the table and we will bring out the rest." Alan got a mischievous glint in his eyes as he continued.
"Just keep an eye at your two trouble makers. Don't want them to accidentally fall into another world before they are fed." Alan said jokingly.
Two indignant "Hey!" were heard from the two youngest.
"Alan!" Jeff said sternly.
Alan looked hurt for a millisecond before he brushed his father off, focusing his full attention on the people he joked about "Sorry guys! Really! It's just I have always wanted to say something like that, being the youngest you know. I haven't had the opportunity. As an apology for messing around with you I come bearing a feast of home-made food. I hope that you accept it.".
"Fine, no worries, apology accepted. Especially, if you have made more food that smells as heavenly as your bread." Gords said cheekily.
"No worries, I get it! You're a version of me after all. The best way to earn forgiveness is with good food! It seems that you already got that covered! John said this whole brunch was your idea. Thank you! I always knew that I was awesome! Thanks for cementing it!" Al responded happily to the older version of himself.
"Great! Please take a seat, you guys! Dad, would you help me bringing in the food from the kitchen?" Alan asked his father neutrally.
"Sure, Alan!" Jeff said, only first now noticing Franks disapproving glare directed at him as he followed his youngest son out in the hallway. What in the world was that about. Jeff prided himself on being able to always knowing what his oldest friend meant by merely reading his body language, but now he felt lost. What did he do to make Frank annoyed with him? He didn't say anything other than reprimand Alan when necessary. Frank was in a good mood when he led the alternative version of his family in the room.
As soon as they were out of earshot of their guests Alan confronted his father in the hallway.
"Dad! What in the world was that about? Don't you see how uncomfortable you're making them by just standing there, still as a statue, watching over them like an intimidating hawk? Why would you reprimand me, when I am trying and succeeding in making them feel more comfortable by joking around with them?" Alan asked his father, his voice uncharacteristically calm.
Jeff was speechless. When had his little boy grown up so much that he was the one considering their guests comforts, while Jeff stood silent in the corner brooding like a teenager. How and when had their rolls reversed?
Alan continued, looking serious "Dad! I love you; you know that I adore all of my family, but I need you to be better! I can't handle being left out of the loop entirely. It wreaks complete havoc on my mental health. You can't just send out a distress signal about an invasion and then forget to pick up or even answer your phone. You seem to have forgotten what it is like being on the other side of that, again. It is pure hell for me, worrying if your alive or dead with no way to reach you. It feels like I am transferred back in time, to my terrified fourteen-year-old self, during Hoods version of spring break from hell. You still always forget about me. It happens every single time! I can't handle it! Please, dad!" Alan pleaded with his father, his eyes looking suspiciously wet.
Jeff then realised, that he had yet again, seriously failed his youngest son "Oh Allie, I am so sorry!".
"I don't need you to be sorry dad. I need you to do better. I am seventeen years old; I know that I am not fully mature yet. I still need you to guide me into a better man. I think that I will always need you dad. But, right now, I need you to be a better parent. I am sorry to say this dad. You are an amazing man in many ways and I will always look up to you. You must stop making me feel needlessly terrified for my family's safety on a regular basis. I seriously can't take it anymore, dad! This is not fair to me and deep down you know it isn't. Sorry for bringing this up now. All my bottled-up emotions kind of boiled over this morning, you know." Alan sighed deeply, in his frustration running his fingers through his hair.
"The point that I want to make, that is time sensitive, is that those boys and young men in our dining room need to be reassured. This is their version of our Hood attack, but on steroids. They already lost their parents a long time ago. Now they almost lost half of their remaining family. I only spoke a bit to this other-John and he had a full-blown breakdown. I think all of them did, in their own ways. Their John cried in front of me, dad! I'm practically a stranger and their John, who is very similar to our John, broke down and cried in front of me! The first time we met! Do you realise how far gone he must have gone to talk about his feelings with a stranger? They thought their youngest brothers were dead, dad. Now they are here and they see a version of their father standing before them, without knowing them, looking disapproving and guarded. Imagine if mom showed up from the dead and acted like that! How would that make you feel?" Alan continued explaining to his shellshocked father.
"Dad, they are another version of our family. They deserve to be treated with love and care. Please don't lecture me when I use humour with them to get them comfortable. You know that we brothers use humour to feel at ease. That is why I decided to talk with them that way and it worked even better than expected!" Alan said.
"It is partly why I decided to make and invite them to this big brunch with a debrief after. They haven't slept or eaten properly for days. I found them all curled up around each other, on two pushed together infirmary beds. They may present a strong front but they are extremely delicate right now. We would be too in their situation." Alan finished his rant.
Jeff stood frozen, at a complete loss for words. How had his baby managed to grow into this beautiful, wise man with a heart of gold, when Jeff continued to fail him at every turn.
Alan looked nervous now that he had said his piece and asked quietly "Dad? Please say something!".
Jeff engulfed his youngest child in a big hug, burying his face in his hair "I'm sorry Allie! I'll do better. I promise! I am so sorry that I continue to fail you when you need me! We will have a long conversation just all of us after we send of our guests. If that is alright with you of course? I just want to say that I am so proud of the incredibly kind hearted, strong, intelligent man you have managed to grow into. I am so proud to call you, my son!".
Alan slowly returned his father's hug. Squeezing him tightly "Sounds great dad!".
After a long minute they separated.
Alan looked up at his father who were still a bit taller than him "I am going to bring more food to the table. Can you go let my brothers know that it is ready?".
"Of course, Alan! Thank you for making all of this!" Jeff said to his son.
"It wasn't just me! Without the Kyranos I would have been toast. I wasn't really kidding when I say that you guys eat like wolfs. By bringing in a starved version of our family we might need to fly to the mainland to stock up on groceries after this meal." Alan said cheekily heading from the hallway into the kitchen.
Jeff shook his head fondly at his son's antics, turning around heading in the other direction to gather the rest of the family.